Wait Before You Hit Send

Never send a reply to an upsetting message within the hour; draft it, wait, then edit it calm.

Practitioner wisdomPractitioner advice; fits evidence that anger fades as arousal drops, Kjaervik & Bushman, 2024

Sensible and consistent with anger research, but the delay rule itself is not tested.

Why it works

Written words stay and can be forwarded. A short wait lets the heat pass, and your second draft is almost always better.

How to do it

  1. Write the draft in notes, not in the reply box.
  2. Wait at least an hour, or overnight.
  3. Cut every line that blames.
  4. Read it as the client would.

What to say

Thanks for your message. Let me check and come back to you by tomorrow noon.

I understand your concern. Can we speak on a call at 11?

Avoid

Replying on WhatsApp in a voice note while angry.

Example

A client sent a sharp WhatsApp at 10 pm saying the candidate was useless. Devendra drafted a reply, slept on it, and sent a calm request for a call. The client apologised for his tone.

Practise it

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