Academic Medicine Open Forum

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  • 1.  Controversial Tip Tuesday: Passive-aggressive workplace phrases to avoid

    Posted 12-13-2022 01:44:00 PM

    WordFinder by Your Dictionary recently published a list of commonly used workplace phrases that were rated most passive-aggressive in writing. They are:

    1. Please advise
    2. Noted
    3. Friendly Reminder
    4. Will do
    5. Thanks in advance
    6. Per our last conversation
    7. Circling back
    8. As per my last email
    9. As promised
    10. As discussed
    Freelance writer Suzanne Lucas wrote about this issue, and shared examples of people decoding common workplace phases into their true meaning. Does "per my last email" really mean "I've already answered this"?

    I feel attacked. I have literally used several of the phrases on this top 10 list THIS WEEK. To colleagues on this platform. Whom I respect and adore. With no passive aggression intended.

    Do we agree with this list?




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    Nicole Buckley
    Communications Strategist
    Association of American Medical Colleges
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  • 2.  RE: Controversial Tip Tuesday: Passive-aggressive workplace phrases to avoid

    Posted 12-15-2022 03:28:00 PM
    Hi All,
    I had a what-the-heck response to this! I remember reading about a study (I tried to dig it up, but it would take a bit of time) that said "thank you in advance" was the closing that garnered the greatest response rate to email messages (so I use it all the time! Oops?).  Doesn't "as promised" mean "I am following through on my commitment"? I use "will do" to mean "I understand your need and will meet it". Of course "will do" and "will do!" come across differently. I could go on, but I did want to pop in here and at least share a great book on digital communication: Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan. I learned quite a lot from Dhawan about how differently the same communication can be perceived with just a slight change in punctuation, emoji, and more. I think it's an important book that provides excellent guidance in this pivotal time in the world of digital work.

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    Tera Lessard, MA
    Learning Design Consultant
    Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Controversial Tip Tuesday: Passive-aggressive workplace phrases to avoid

    Posted 01-12-2023 04:32:00 PM
    The Digital Body Language book looks great. 
    Context and tone is challenging. Some of these phrases seem to make a conversation more accessible. When I see "As we discussed", I understand it as a reminder of the carryover from a discussion on this topic. I actually don't personally bristle at any of these listed. 
    Kara

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    Kara Ayers
    Associate Professor
    Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Controversial Tip Tuesday: Passive-aggressive workplace phrases to avoid

    Posted 12-16-2022 10:36:00 AM
    Very interesting, Nicole! Thanks for sharing. I see context and attitude as the key to these as well as the amount of trust built in the relationship. I have been the recipient of many of these lines (in addition to being the sender) and take no offense. But when used in the context of an otherwise accusing, dismissive, or defensive email, they may add to the effect. As Tera pointed out, punctuation can make a difference as well.

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    Katherine Forkner
    Senior Education Specialist
    Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
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    Original Message