How to find the perfect balance in your language at work

According to Barclays’ study, there are five common phrases that are definitely going out of style. So if you want to keep up with the times, you may want to avoid:

Yours truly
Yours sincerely
To whom it may concern
With compliments
Respects

But what phrases should you use instead? Surely “stay slaying” isn’t the only alternative? How can we ensure we aren’t over- or under-doing it?

Pauli recommends paying attention to context. “In written communication, such as emails, it’s generally advisable to maintain a certain level of formality, especially when interacting with superiors, clients or external partners,” she says. “While the digital landscape has grown more casual, the art of crafting a respectful and professional email remains valuable.”

Of course, the exact language you use depends on the norms in your specific workplace. Pay attention to how others are addressing you, and try to mimic that level of formality.

“It’s advisable to observe and respect the communication preferences of colleagues and superiors,” says Pauli. “If unsure, it’s better to start with slightly more formality and adjust based on the feedback received.” Overall, “to navigate this evolving landscape successfully, it’s important to respect the context, workplace culture and the preferences of those involved, while maintaining professionalism and clarity in communication”.

In my casual era: a new study on workplace communication shows we’re ditching the formalities