Emojis at Work: Love 'Em or Hate 'Em?

A client recently asked me if it’s acceptable to use emojis at work. 

My answer: It depends.

If you’re a lawyer emailing a client about a failed multimillion-dollar deal or a doctor corresponding with a patient about an upcoming surgery, it’s usually not a good idea. These might be crappy situations, but they’re not the time for a poop emoji.

However, if you work at a tech startup or have a boss who likes to post motivational posts on the company Slack channel, go ahead and take your emoji game to 💯! Dropping an occasional 🔥, 💪, or 🙂 in the chat will endear you to your colleagues.

If you ever find yourself in a position where you’re not sure if emojis are appropriate or not, I recommend waiting to see if the other party uses them. Once you receive your first 😀, you will know it’s fine to use emojis (judiciously, of course).

So, what do you think of emojis at work? Are they 👍 or 👎?

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.