Can a little smiley in a message really make a difference? Between colleagues, a well-placed emoji can relax the mood... or raise an eyebrow.
So, emoji in the office - allies of the cool or enemies of the pro? We decipher and give you advices.
The smiley, a new virtual handshake
In our professional exchanges (especially at a distance), the tone can quickly get lost between two “best regards”. And that's where the emoji comes in. A wink 👀, a thumb 👍, a smile 😄: these mini-symbols fulfill the role of non-verbal language. They humanize, soften, and bring people together.
Researchers at Baylor University in the United States have also shown that The emojis can recreate some of the missing emotional signals In the emails. In other words, they add a bit of warmth where digital communication may seem cold.
And among colleagues, a well-placed emoji is often a little extra to appear affordable, relaxed, and friendly.
No, the smiley is not enough to make you cool
Before bombarding your manager with 😍 and 💪, know that emoji at work are divisive. Some researchers have shown that in a formal email, The smiley does not reinforce the perception of sympathy... and may even lower the perception of competence.
In short: in a report sent to management, the emoji does not always pass.
According to a study cited by Mailsuite, 26% of employees consider emoji to be “unprofessional” in work emails. And only 4 out of 10 believe that they can be viewed positively.
So no, putting a smiley in your signature does not make you a super nice colleague. On the other hand, it may suggest that you are taking things a bit too lightly.
It's all about context (and moderation)
The key is the dosage. An emoji in an internal message to your team, to say “Congratulations! 👏” or “Have a nice weekend! 🌞”? 100% validated. An emoji in a customer email, or in a chat with your N+2? Rather to be avoided.
In summary:
- Yes to emoji between close colleagues or in informal exchanges.
- No to emoji in official emails, applications, or important external messages.
The sector, corporate culture and even the average age of your colleagues also play a role. In an international startup, the emoji will certainly work better than in a banking institution. It is up to you to understand the culture of the company and its uses.
And remember: the more smileys in a message, the more impact the message loses. A single, well-placed one is usually enough to convey your tone.
Our advice
Here are our 5 tips for using emoji well (and not too much) at work:
1. An emoji is often enough
Too many emoji kill clarity. Save these for when you really want to lighten the mood.
2. Test the ambiance
Before sending a smiley face to your manager, take a look at their writing style. Zero emoji in his emails? It's a no.
3. Adapt your tone to your interlocutor
What happens between colleagues does not necessarily happen with a customer.
4. Give priority to universal symbols
The main emoji 🙂, 👍, or 👏 are understood by all. Avoid ambiguous emoji (😏, or 💃), which are often misinterpreted.
5. Don't forget the background.
An emoji will never replace a good message that is well-written, clear, and courteous.
Rather a question of attitude
Sending an emoji is a bit like smiling at the coffee machine: nice, but not enough. Your credibility, tone, attentiveness, and responsiveness matter much more than your stock of favorite emoji.
When used wisely, emoji can help you appear human and warm. Incorrectly dosed, they can damage your professional image. In short: when it comes to emoji, the secret is balance (and a bit of common sense 😇).
Speaking of which, wouldn't we have put a bit too many emoji in this article, did we? 🤔
FAQS
Can emoji be used in business emails?
Yes, but only in informal or internal exchanges. In an official message, avoid them so as not to damage your image.
Does an emoji make me more likeable?
Not necessarily. It can soften the tone, but sympathy is mostly built in your real life interactions.
Which pro emoji are “safe” to use?
The classics: 🙂 for kindness, 👍 for approval, 👏 for congratulations. As for the others? Handle with care.
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