“JUST A QUICK EMAIL TO SEE WHEN YOU CAN GET ME THAT REPORT?”
“JUST HOPING YOU CAN FINISH THE FINANCIALS TODAY?”
Amanda Lee was under the impression that simply including the word ‘just’ in an email, would soften any request. Yet, the manager at an investment banking firm was shocked to realise that her colleagues still think she is a bossy bitch.
Amanda knows only too well how important perceptions are. When she started at PJK Investments, she quickly developed a reputation as ‘difficult’ when she suggested it was not her responsibility to chair the meeting and also do a coffee run. Since then, Amanda has been careful to not appear demanding or ‘too bossy.’
Amanda told Babbler, “I did a corporate women’s leadership retreat, ‘Badass Girllll Bosses’, where we learned techniques to remain likeable while also getting our colleagues, particularly male colleagues, to do their jobs without feeling threatened that a woman is asking them.”
Badass Girllll Bosses retreat facilitator, Nola Brimt said, “Adding a smiley face at the end of a request, can go a long way. We also recommend closing emails with a chatty line like, ‘Hope you’re well’, or, ‘Hope you get to enjoy the sunshine today.’”
Yet, Amanda is not getting the results she hoped for. Last week, she sent an email saying, “Just a quick note to see if Monday’s meeting time suits everyone? I happened to notice that no one has accepted. Sorry if this is a mix-up from my end. Hope you all have a great weekend!”
Her colleagues were quick to call out her demanding behaviour as unprofessional. A member of her team, David Wexler, told Babbler, “See what we are dealing with? She is relentless. And FYI, my weekend is none of her business!”
At her wit’s end, Amanda took drastic action. She removed all chat and pleasantries from her emails, she no longer feels the need to smile when making an in-person request, and she no longer brings in a cake to celebrate team members’ birthdays.
Amanda feels liberated, “I’ve never felt so alive!”
She has since been fired for bullying.
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