One way to track down some important conversations is via email. If there is any email conversation specifying tasks, challenges, conflicts, or other issues, these types of emails are worth keeping.

Why? They can serve as proof or documentation, in case the tables turn. You never know when there's a situation where you need to pull out an email as proof to support your cause.

Situations can include but are not limited to:

- When a colleague claims she or he never received a task specification or other communication from you.

- When you received the green light to go ahead with a project, however, someone claims that it was never approved. This also includes financial approval.

- When a colleague claims that she or he never expressed a particular statement.

- When a colleague makes a comment, but contradicts himself or herself at a later stage to avoid blame.

Unfortunately, the world is not a bed of roses. People lie to protect themselves. People forget promises or commitments that they have made. When an awkward situation arises and you need to refer to the facts, you'll thank yourself for not throwing out that specific email.

On another note, we all make mistakes. Sometimes, it is us who remembered the facts incorrectly. Therefore, this gives us another good reason to keep important emails if we need to do some fact-checking. It's important to maintain our integrity at work.

On the positive side, you should try to keep that one golden email from a work buddy, customer, or manager who praised you for the good work you've done for the company. Don't throw these ones out. Remind yourself how valuable you are. You are worth more than you think.

A/N: When I refer to a colleague, I also refer to managers and supervisors. I tend to have comfortable dialogue with everyone, regardless of their official roles. It comes with the experience of being a journalist, where I've interviewed politicians and high profile public figures. We are all people. The key is to treat each other with respect. ⭐️👍