Rebecca Muller* says people who use workplace jargon in their emails can often end up clouding the message they are trying to get across.
While we sometimes use workplace buzzwords in emails for efficiency or maybe even to impress our colleagues, research shows they have the opposite effect.
When we rely on jargon to get our message across, we tend to lose the directness and simplicity in what we’re trying to say.
Here are three phrases that could be doing your emails more harm than good, and tips to help you rephrase before hitting ‘send’.
Bumping this to the top of your inbox
We use this introduction when we haven’t heard back from a previous email we sent.
However, adding this additional line only reminds the recipient that you’re continuously contacting them.
The chances are they’ll feel more overwhelmed by the additional reminder than thankful.
Instead, send a new email in a different thread, and rephrase what you wrote last time.
A fresh set of eyes on the email will likely yield a better result than a constant bump to a previous message.
Let me know if that makes sense
After explaining something in an email, a lot of us tend to sign off with “let me know if that makes sense”.
By posing that idea, it could come across as condescending and imply that the recipient likely wouldn’t understand the message.
Alternatively, it could imply there was something confusing in the message, which is on you to fix and clarify.
Change your phrasing to: “Let me know what additional information would be helpful to you.”
This phrase comes across as more clear and confident, and gives the recipient the chance to ask any questions about your message without the condescending tone.
Not sure if you saw my last email
If you’re asking someone if they saw your last email, you’re immediately distracting from your current message.
The key to an effective email is being clear and concise, so that means taking out this additional intro.
Declutter your email by getting straight to the point — and better yet, get to it in the subject.
Senior Editor at The Atlantic, James Hamblin says if the subject line can be your entire email, do it that way.
Also, remember to re-read before hitting ‘send’ to see if you’re using any other jargon that could be clouding your message.
*Rebecca Muller is the Community Editor at Thrive Global. Her previous work experience includes roles in editorial and digital journalism. She can be contacted on Instagram @rebeccabmuller.
This article first appeared at thriveglobal.com
