Email Like a Boss - Without the Jargon

“Per our previous conversation…”
“Kindly advise at your earliest convenience…”
“Attached please find…”

Stop. Just… stop.

If your emails sound like a robot got a degree in Corporateese, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: the more technical or high-level your work, the more critical it is to be understood.

That’s not about dumbing it down - it’s about clearing it up.

The Real Problem?

STEM leaders often write like they’re submitting to a journal, not communicating with a human. And while the work may be complex, the message doesn’t have to be.

Confused people don’t take action. They hit "archive."

Want Your Emails to Actually Work?

1. Drop the formal fluff.

If you wouldn’t say it out loud, don’t write it.

✅ Instead of: “Please see attached for the deliverables referenced.”
👉 Say: “Here’s the file we talked about.”

2. Make your ask crystal clear.

What do you want them to do, by when, and why?
Don’t bury the ask 6 paragraphs down. Lead with it.

3. Short is smart.

No one’s mad that your email is brief. They’re mad when it’s a novella with no plot.

4. Use formatting for clarity.

Break up blocks of text.
Use bullets.
Bold key info.

Make it skimmable — they’re reading on a phone between meetings.

Want to Be Seen as a Clear Thinker?

Great communicators don’t just “translate” — they lead through clarity.

If you’re trying to build influence, get buy-in, or grow into bigger leadership roles, mastering your written tone is a game-changer.

That’s something I often help leaders fine-tune through executive coaching:

• Finding your authentic tone

• Communicating without losing authority

• Leading with clarity across every channel

And yes, that includes your inbox.

What’s one phrase you see (or use) in emails that makes you cringe?
👇 Drop it below. Let’s build the STEM leader’s “Jargon Hall of Shame.”