It can be difficult to know how to approach writing to a colleague now, especially when you want to find a balance between being vulnerable and professional.

Acknowledging what a co-worker is going through can make them feel really cared about. However, don't feel obligated to include such a personal note in every email. Generally, it is better to save personal information for a phone call or video chat.

The common email greeting is often an empty, yet necessary, formality. And these generic, surface-level greetings have probably harmed our relationships in some instances.

Rather than to mention the context in which we're all living, we should learn to be honest about what we're g...