Granting Approvals
Guidelines
Grant approval immediately. (In memos, use the subject line to clue your reader.) The reader’s main interest is a “yes” or a “no.” After the reader has the answer, he or she can better concentrate on your details, exceptions, or other elaborations.
Don’t be wishy-washy in your wording. For example, phrases like “this date does seem like our best alternative” or “it would appear he is capable of handling the project” make the approval sound tentative. Instead, be direct: “You have my approval to…,”“Yes, please proceed with your plans as stated in the report…,” or “I agree that the course of action you suggested is our best alternative. Please begin the project immediately.”
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