Before the growing demands of professional digital chatting platforms, using emoji was considered childish. It is considered normal if you are a regular teen texting your friend or crush.
However, things have changed since the trend of remote working started. The idea of using emoticons during your online chats with colleagues – and even your boss! – is not as unsettling as we thought it would feel at first. The minimum direct or face-to-face interaction between co-workers is the cause for this.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, was also the beginning of the trend called ‘hybrid working’. Although this working method has already started in 2015 (which was during the rise of the ‘startup culture’), the trend started growing bigger from that moment. This has also resulted in people using more emoji at work.
An Emoji = 1000+ Words
We may have heard this quote in the pre-digital era: “A picture’s worth a thousand words.” Well, think of emoji in the digital version of that quote. In fact, they can be a whole lot more than that number of words alone. Ideas can be compressed, and bigger thoughts can be expressed – in just one small footprint. Isn’t this brilliant?
The reports collected by Adobe’s recent report show that U.S. emoji users claim a number of benefits from using them, like:
- Helping them to come up with ideas at work to share (by 79 percent)
- Helping them to make better decisions in more efficient ways (by 62 percent)
- Reducing the need to have a direct meeting and call (by 47 percent)
In a way, using emoji helps to shorten conversations, like in meetings. Everything can be said – straight to the point, right off the bat.
How Emoji Works Wonders For Emotional Intelligence
The limitation of close human interaction during the pandemic and sometime after may cause issues with one’s emotional intelligence. If we are not careful, our misunderstandings during our conversations online can lead us to senseless arguments and separation.
Many thanks to emoji, those boundaries and issues can be limited if not fully overcome. According to 63 percent of U.S. digital users, this method helps them to feel more connected to their colleagues during communication. About 68 percent of them feel enjoyment when it comes to using them during work.
Using emoji at work also benefits in terms of likeability (69 percent) and credibility (59 percent). You could probably theorize that this method loosens up the tension at work. Over half of the users in the USA feel more motivated when it comes to doing new tasks requested by their company (55 percent). This method also helps build better relationships with recruits for their companies.
How Emoji Helps To Spark More Creativity At Work
This does not only apply to media companies or any foundations that require artistic endeavors or creativity. It turns out that images help to spark more creativity and also reduce ambiguity when exchanging messages.
In fact, based on the same research done by Adobe, there are many people at work who agree with this. A spark of creativity is helped by this method, according to 60 percent of respondents. Meanwhile, 91 percent of them agree that this method helps them to express themselves better at work.
The Possibility of More Emoji At Work In The Future
So, it turns out that it is possible to use more emoji at work. Not only that, using them makes work feel more fun but still professional. After all, the digital era has made this possible. With a variety of human interactions at work and professional digital platforms, these images help to gain a better understanding during communication.
These days, many U.S. users have already used this method in many digital transactions and interactions. Companies use them to confirm staff attendance (68 percent) and digital payments (45 percent). Gen Z and Millennial staff are more ready to embrace this culture (51 percent for Gen Z and 52 percent for Millennials).
How To Communicate Effectively Using Emoji At Work
Now we know that it is possible to use emoji for work purposes. The next question is: how to do that effectively – and professionally? According to Front, here are some of the ways to make that happen:
Focus on the reinforcement of your message’s true intent
Make sure that the emoji you choose delivers the message well.
Avoid using “smiley” to soften up what needs to be addressed seriously
There is no need to tone down what needs to be addressed seriously with an emoji. For example, you express your unhappiness when your staff did not respond to your last important email, but you remind them with a smiley image. That only shows your passive-aggressive behavior, which is unprofessional.
Use what is possible in every social media platform
LinkedIn is the social media for professionals – and it has a list of emoji too. Use them to help to capture attention and convey your company brand. LinkedIn even has some tips for using them to help you do so better.
Choose the basics to keep it safe
It is fun to use emoji at work, but how to keep them safe from crossing professional boundaries? Choose the basics to keep it safe. For example, common faces, hand emoji, or images associated with business communication.
Do not overuse them and use them on the app more than in emails
Ever seen texts from teenagers with lots of emoji? If you find that distracting, it is best not to overuse them at work. Three images of it are probably the safest maximum number, based on the message as well. Plus, apps like SIf you find that distracting, it is best not to overuse them at work. Three images of it are probably the safest maximum number, based on the message as well. Plus, apps like Slack usually have more than emails, so you know where to put them better.
It is possible to use emoji at work while also making them fun and professional as well. The key is moderation and choice.