I'm a staunch feminist. Career driven, financially independent and proudly vocal about gender equality.
But I am also a copywriter and corporate trainer – a profession that forces me to scrutinise the way people write in the workplace every day. And although I routinely come across all types of business professionals who write poorly, I recently wondered: do women have specific bad writing habits of their very own?
So I did some quick research, and within a few minutes my hunch was confirmed.
According to Leadership Coach and Strategist Ellen Petry Leanse, women are three to four times more likely to use the word 'just' in their emails and conversations at work.
'I am just wondering if you are available to discuss…' 'Just following up on that report…' 'I'm just writing to let you know that…'
So what's wrong with 'just'?
As Leanse explains, it's a permission word. An apology for interrupting. Or a shy knock on a door before asking a question we have every right to ask.
