Stop Using Smileys at Work: Why Emojis Make You Look Less Competent

• *The Unspoken Rule of Digital Etiquette**

You mean well. You’ve sent a formal email to a new client or a high-level manager, and you sign off with a cheerful smiley face 😊, thinking it adds a layer of warmth and approachability. Unfortunately, science suggests this friendly gesture may be subtly undermining your professional credibility.

For years, established "netiquettes" for computer-mediated communication have cautioned against the excessive use of emoticons in the workplace. The concern is simple: over-use may signal emotional instability or a lack of self-control.

Empirical research strongly supports this cautious approach, especially in high-stakes environments. One study found that when participants responded to formal emails, their answers were more detailed and contained more substantive, content-related information when the original email did not include a smiley. The inclusion of the smiley, in effect, reduced the perceived gravity of the communication.

This creates a fascinating psychological paradox. In the physical world, a photo of a smiling person is rated as both more competent *and* friendlier than a photo of a person with a neutral expression. In the digital world, however, the perception shifts. When you substitute that real-world smile for a digital icon in a formal context, the emotional gain seems to be offset by a loss in professional rigor. That tiny yellow icon can effectively detract from the seriousness and competence of your message.

The takeaway for professionals isn’t a ban on all emojis, but a recognition of context. If you are sending a quick, internal chat to a colleague about lunch, fire away with the 😂. But when you are communicating important facts, discussing performance, or establishing a first impression with a new partner, stick to the words. Your professional reputation is too valuable to risk on a single pixelated face.