The definitive guide to exclamation marks in work emails

The definitive guide to exclamation fruchtfleischs in work emailsThe definitive guide to exclamation marks in work emailsBack in the day,the rules were simple.In the office? Suit and tie. Write a memo? Keep it formal.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraToday, social mores have changed and the default setting is often business casual. That means the clothes we wear on down to how we communicate. Two recent studies suggest the office is more like an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout than dignifiedplace of work. Marketing firm DDB found millennials wouldtake credit for someone elses workto get aheadfives timesas often as baby boomers. Job placement service RiseSmart reports 16 percent of workerscriticize employers online.It seems we have entered ananything-goes era in the workplace. Where are the rules?Whatsappropriate?If you want to jump on emailand bash your boss, go ahead. But bef ore you click Send, I have one requestcut back on the exclamation marks.Yes,we glide from gmailto Twitter to gchat and the messages muddle together, but work email should remain a cut above. You might sellpatriotic kitten ornamentsorcakuleles, but business is business and money is money. Too many exclamation marks imply youre young and inexperienced (like this). Right or wrong, they make people question your seriousness.I createdthe guide below tounderstand how to employ exclamation marks in work emails. Im not so rigid and old-school to suggest they disappear altogether. As in all things, moderation is key.Hello and goodbyeLets start where all emails begin the introduction. Plenty ofpeople open a work email withHi, _____Good morningThey also end withHave a great dayExclamation marks at the beginning and end. No big deal.The other half of the population goes withHi, _____Good morning.And for the finishHave a great day.Which one is right? They both are. Intros and outros are just tha t the entrance and exit of the conversation. They are onlypleasantries so, yes, you can come and go with an energetic tone () or something more subdued. Either way, its not a distraction to the reader.Let the other person make the first moveNowwe departthe safe harbor of the email introduction (where the exclamation mark is up to you) and enter the treacherous unknown the body of our message. Heres where exclamations are a far riskier game.If you already led withHi, _____Good morningThen you might think its fine to keep on rolling with the excited streakI want to send an email to catch everyone up on the project since we have a lot going on Please respond thatyou saw this email so I know youre in the loopAnd the reader thinksYeesh, calm down over there. Its Monday morning, and I havent even finished my coffee.So lets make a new plan. Rather than start off strong with exclamations,let other people make the first move and matchtheiremotion. That way, youre always in line with how they want to exchange messages.If the person writes backThanks so much for the noteThen you sayYoure welcomeIf the person goes withThanks so much for the note.Then you replyYoure welcome.When you defer to other people, youre always right. If they want to drop exclamations here and there, so do you. If they prefer to keep it plain, you feel the same way.Double exclamationsIn parts I and II, I make the case you can go either way with exclamation marks. In part III, the tune changes.Double exclamations have no place in a work email. I make no apologies for that rule.Theres a difference between energetic and overkill, and it happens somewhere between and If youre on g-chat or talking to a friend through Gmail, go nutsBut when it comes to work, the double exclamation is double trouble. Remember youre a working professional. Business is business. Money is money.SeeThe One Sentence That Makes Anyone a LeaderYou need people to feel comfortable using you or your firm. If youre young and droppin g everywhere, it could be seen as a red flag.When the exclamation is necessaryYou might be like my dad and againstexclamation marks in all work-related situations. Maybeits generational and millennialsfind online communication so casual and natural.Anyway, part IV is where you learn the rules and break them. Thats because there are situations where an exclamation mark matters even if you dont like to use one.Hey there,I just want to tell you I landed the promotion so now Im VP of development for the entire east coast. Thought youd like to know the good newsThats a pretty big deal, right? You cant come backwithThats great news. Congrats.Your answer does not match the persons emotion. At all. No, the moment deservesThats great news CongratsIf you want the person to know youre excited, then you need an exclamation mark. Plus, if the person wrote the big news email to a group and everyone else has responded withAmazingCongrats WoohooIncredibleTheres no way you could drop inwithCongrats .Not only do you appearunenthusiasticitkinda sounds like youarenthappy for the person and sending good wishes through gritted teeth.Some moments require you to fall in line.Trust your instinctsWhen you finish composing an email, look over your work. How many exclamation points have you used?If it feels like you overdid it, then youoverdid it. Even if youre only trying to keep pace with the other persons usage.No matter what,you never want to appearlessprofessional than the person on the other end.You want to bewhats the word?Ah, yes.Appropriate.This article first appeared on DannyRubin.com.