As if the manterrupting IRL wasn’t bad enough, we’ve made it to a point in our technological advancements where women are getting talked over via email…
Over the last five years, and especially over the last one, my use of euphemisms in response to this phenomenon has increased. Whether it is because people are actively trying to spend less time staring at their computers so they simply skim the emails or if it’s pure misogyny is something for historians to determine later. All I know is that I am tired of repeating myself.
I have carefully orchestrated my favorites here, should you need them.
Per my last email,
This is one of the best but also one of the more common phrases used in professional emails. It is a polite but very direct way of asking, “Are you blind or can you just not read?”
To clarify,
This phrase is a more subtle version of “Per my last email” that has a more “teaching” tone to it. It comes across as, “You’re not quite understanding me, but try to keep up,” while still making it a teachable moment for them.
Moving forward I would appreciate…
There are a few versions of this one that can be used for different reasons, but my preferred method is as a way to give feedback to those who have done something wrong. More often than not, I find myself using this when working cross-functionally, and one of my teammates (usually male) doesn’t follow processes or speaks over me.
As discussed,
“You’re wrong and I know it, so I am calling you out on it,” is actually appropriate to send to someone, especially when they are blatantly ignoring something that was already agreed upon.
What techniques do you use when you find yourself repeating yourself? Share them in the comments below.
Cassandra Rae
Cassandra Rae is a California-born, long-time Londoner who has one all-encompassing life goal: to democratize power at the executive board level. Having spent nearly 20 years working with some of the world’s top-ranked business schools, in addition to holding three different academic degrees, Cassandra is a tireless advocate for principled business and impact capitalism. Like many women, she’s a champion plate-spinner. In addition to her full-time role with one of the world’s top-ranked business schools, EDHEC, she’s an MBA admissions coach, human capital consultant to international organizations and supermum to a very energetic toddler. She also hosts produces and promotes a successful podcast, Tell It Like It Is, which has ranked in the top 25 of careers series on Apple Podcasts in eight countries across four continents.
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