Interview Boss The feminine urge to add exclamation points
Apr 9, 2025
This discussion tackles the fine line between warmth and professionalism in communication. The hosts dive into the nuances of punctuation, such as the controversial exclamation point and its effects on perceptions. They explore how emojis can confuse messages, especially across generations. Practical tips are shared for crafting emails that maintain a friendly yet confident tone. Listeners learn how to communicate assertively without sacrificing approachability, making every word count in their professional interactions.
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Softening Language Success for Women
- Women use exclamation marks and softening language more frequently in emails.
- Using softening techniques helped women secure pay rises, but had no similar effect for men.
Softening Language as a Strategic Tactic
- Sarah shared an example emailing about a situation outside her control using softening language.
- It helped avoid friction while still warning of risks that later came true, allowing her to point it out confidently.
Respect Regardless of Email Style
- People should respect women regardless of their email style or use of softening language.
- Expecting women to 'email like men' to gain respect is problematic and undermines diversity.