Ideas about professionalism.

44 Comments

1. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterFebruary 11,2022 at 3:09PM UTC

   Follow your gut. Yes - casual workplaces have opened the door for less-than-professional conduct. That doesn't mean you have to follow the trend.

2. AnonymousFebruary 11,2022 at 3:09PM UTC

   I do think professional dress has changed a lot - more business offices are going business casual vs. business professional which opens up the door for a lot of interpretation on what can be worn.

   As for emails, I think a lot of people in general just lack proper professional email etiquette. I get so many emails without a greeting line and a signature that are often one off "requests" from students. I also think lack of reading is an issue (at least with my students (university)).

   Some people say "best" is a terrible way to close an email others say it isn't. Personally, I use what fits the email. Best, Thank you, Let me know if you have any questions, Regards....really whatever fits the context. I do think it is important to close the email properly.

3. Jacqueline CutlerFebruary 11,2022 at 3:13PM UTC

   This could mark me as stodgy as well, but good manners don't go out of style. "Best regards" is professional and a pleasant way to end an email. I would keep it.

4. Yaneke D. KeiseFebruary 11,2022 at 3:23PM UTC

   Honestly I still use “Best Regards” for my email signature. I may add or update that line depending on how formal or informal I want the email to be, however this is still my go to.

   Despite how informal things are beginning to seem, professionalism and good manners still go a long way. You may be safe in my opinion to continue using Best Regards.

5. Christy SchwartzFebruary 11,2022 at 3:40PM UTC

   I do agree times have changed. However, email etiquette goes a long way. I personally perceive a professional, or well written email with much more weight than someone that seems to send me an email is if they are texting me.

   Also, since so much of our professional space is digital I tend to not worry as much about dress and more about the work that is being done.

6. Lori Ann DeLappe-GrondinFebruary 11,2022 at 4:05PM UTC

   I agree it is changing. I, personally, like the shift. Yes, there are industries where a suit and tie are still appropriate but many of us work from home or only with our internal folks.

   and for email, I do the same thing. I think it's a simple courtesy closing and is not stodgy. At the same time, a simple thanks or have a good day could do the same thing if best regards feels weird to you.

7. Sabrina CortesFebruary 11,2022 at 4:33PM UTC

   I use "many thanks" and tweak it according to the conversation. If it's more formal, I'll say "best regards." I'm a pretty easygoing person and my emails reflect that, but I don't have higher-ups over me, so I suppose that's part of it too. I'm a small business owner and I keep my emails professional, yet "relaxed" - if that makes sense. I'm very transparent with my clients and I think they respond to and appreciate that when they work with me.

   However, when I worked for the insurance agency, I always signed my emails with "have a great day" or "sincerely."

8. Julie S.February 11,2022 at 4:44PM UTC

   I say Mahalo to be less formal and more warm. There are many sign off options that are more personable.

9. Valentina Huang, MBA, SHRM-CPFebruary 11,2022 at 4:51PM UTC

   I like best regards, because its semi formal. And sometimes, you just don't know what else to say to wrap up the email. Say what you think is more natural and attuned to your personality. Or change it up once in a while; say when its a reply to an email. I think that if its too casual, it can also be perceived as just that; and if you are still wanting to be professional, keep it that way. It easier to come back from being too formal than it is to be too casual.

10. Volition1028February 11,2022 at 5:00PM UTC

    There's a plethora of how to do an email sign off. Find one that works best for you and go with it. In the event it no longer fits your needs, update it. Technology, and everything that entails, is ever-changing and we have to be flexible and adaptable to those changes.

11. Chynise CunninghamFebruary 11,2022 at 5:28PM UTC

    As the workplace and our world climate evolves, I see it being important that our communication evolves. I used to close my emails with kind regards or something of the sort. I have changed mine to Mask up & stay safe! Thank you for your time! Or have a great weekend! (right now it’s Happy Super Bowl & Valentines Day)

    there’s so much seriousness and unrest in the world. I believe lightening up a bit helps build relationship and connect with your team or client.

12. Glenport LifeFebruary 11,2022 at 5:52PM UTC

    Best regards is lovely, polite and not stodgy... cheers, best wishes, happy trails, all the best, sincerely, have a great day, virtual hugs, etc.. .do what a feels like you!

13. Kate Eberle WalkerFebruary 11,2022 at 11:50PM UTC

    I'm with you, I just can't bring myself to leave an email unsigned. Best, Thank you, Talk to you soon, Have a great weekend...I vary the sign off line depending on the recipient but I think just as it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, best to sign the emails!

14. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 12,2022 at 1:39AM UTC

    I sign all my emails

    Thanks!

    Joan

    Yes, more informal than years ago but I also don't start my emails with Dear XX anymore either.

15. AnonymousFebruary 12,2022 at 1:50PM UTC

    I've seen this question a few times. As someone who sits in the C-suite for small businesses, where we are called upon to wear many hats and be as efficient as possible with our time, the people who are offended or comment about the closing greeting of an email are not important enough to worry about. They focus on the wrong things and will be left behind when the leadership roles are chosen, no matter the size of the company. It's petty and knit-picky and not germane to the work being done. I'd also suggest that they don't have enough to do if they have the time to sit around and pass judgment on a few words that come before a comma and a signature. Continue to do what feels professional to you.

16. Orlagh CostelloFebruary 12,2022 at 1:51PM UTC

    I sign mine "Regards" unless it's someone REALLY senior to me, in which case I sometimes change to "thanks" or "I appreciate your time" or something like that. And by Really senior - the global engineering head usually gets a regards, but then engineers tend to be more casual. His production counterpart usually gets something like "Thanks for your time"

17. Megan LeasherFebruary 12,2022 at 6:32PM UTC

    I often write the "meat" of my emails, then reread to determine the appropriate greeting and closing, based on the content. With that said, it changes with each email.

18. Julie Chatman, MBA, CISMFebruary 12,2022 at 8:43PM UTC

    Consider observing organizational culture for cues and clues. Every org is unique.

    My professional email signature has “Thank you” in multiple languages- including Klingon. :)

19. AnonymousFebruary 14,2022 at 3:47PM UTC

    going to look up klingon now .....

20. Samantha ThompsonFebruary 14,2022 at 2:07PM UTC

    My supervisor signs his 'best regards', I have mine as cheers (which, seeing as how I and my company are in the US, maaayyyy be consider unprofessional, but nobody's said anything to me about it yet).

21. AnonymousFebruary 14,2022 at 3:11PM UTC

    I think ideas about professionalism are definitely changing and I'm so thankful. I think it is partly because of the pandemic, but more so because we're finally pushing back on the idea that the only measure of professionalism is a cis-het white man.

    I work for a large company (250k+ employees across the US, no international) and I don't always use a greeting or a closing in my emails - but I definitely do depending on the recipient. I also frequently wear work out clothes with a sweater pulled over - but also depending on the day and on days when I'm meeting with internal clients or senior leaders, I dress more like I would if we were in an office (but not completely - I'm always in slippers or barefoot).

22. AnonymousFebruary 14,2022 at 3:20PM UTC

    My perspective is that we should be authentically unique in our business approach; what brings out your true self?

    In my email exchanges, based on the person and the relationship I have with them, it will warrant how I end my email. Are you able to find the balance between being convention, professional and your authentic self?

    I individualize how I end each email but have a standard 'go to' when it's someone I don't know well. At the end of the day, you need to be comfortable with how you sign off and it should be less about what others are doing.

    All the best,

23. AnonymousFebruary 14,2022 at 3:46PM UTC

    Nothing wrong with best regards. I say thank you with my signature line most of the time (sometimes I take that off and leve the signature line ). But I also rarely start an email with "Dear" or even their name, I just jump into the body. I don't sign my name if I'm responding to someone's email. They know who I am because they reached out to me. This isn't a letter it is a conversation.

24. EMILY KIKUE FRANKFebruary 14,2022 at 4:11PM UTC

    Cultural norms change with the times. I don't think this is any lack of professionalism or anything. It's just change. Time was, for instance, women were expected to wear skits, hose, and painful shoes. But I don't think "best regards" is an inappropriate way to close an email, depending. It's mostly about what feels authentic to you, and the particulars of the situation.

25. Tami HolzmanFebruary 14,2022 at 4:24PM UTC

    I think there will always be a super wide array of email sign offs. Some people personalize, some people have something auto added to their email signature. Best regards is fine. So is something more casual. Do what feels most comfortable to you.

26. AnonymousFebruary 14,2022 at 4:30PM UTC

    I see nothing changing in the authenticity of signing off with "best regards". Casual or not, it is the sincerity of how you are signing off that counts.

27. AnonymousFebruary 14,2022 at 10:36PM UTC

    It's not stodgy at all!

    I tend to sign my emails with a Thanks, NAME because I'm usually asking for something LOL.

    I tend to lean into the "warm yet professional tone," if that make sense, but I will tailor it. For example, I'm slightly more on the professional side if I need to email the Global CEO about something, and lean a little more on the warm side for the US CEO, because I used to be their assistant before their promotion, so we already have a warm, and slightly more casual, working relationship despite their position.

28. Liz MilneFebruary 15,2022 at 5:53AM UTC

    What is outdated about signing off 'best regards'? You seem remarkably celebratory about older people dying off - you do know, with luck, that will be you one day? I only see one instance of tone deafness here and it is NOT in the OP's post...

29. Torriel HarrisFebruary 17,2022 at 7:03PM UTC

    Everyone dies.
    ??‍♀️ ??? Girl, bye.

30. Liz MilneFebruary 17,2022 at 9:55PM UTC

    Yes, but not everyone is lucky enough to die in old age.

    You've still not said what is 'outdated' or 'tone deaf' about signing an email with 'best regards' which was the OPs question.

    I don't understand why you're being so combative on a post that is merely asking for help on an email sign-off?

31. Torriel HarrisFebruary 18,2022 at 7:03PM UTC

    Bc rather than reading what I said, you're making your own conclusions. "YoU sEeM rEmArKaBlY cElEbRiToRy" - no, I'm not. I'm simply stating the truth. People with their antiquated business practices are dying off. Nothing more, nothing less.

32. Liz MilneFebruary 19,2022 at 6:37AM UTC

    No, I'm really not making my own conclusions I'm reading your words and extrapolating from those.

    For example: I find the following to be celebratory: 'This new gen is NOT here to play with these folks and I AM HERE FOR IT.' Given that it followed a callous-sounding comment about older people 'dying off', I found it, as I said, unnecessarily combative as the 'these folks' are the ones 'dying off' - something that the 'I AM HERE FOR IT' emphatically celebrates. Ergo a celebration of older people dying - in your own words.

    However: you have still not explained why you think 'best regards' is outdated.

    How do you sign off on your emails?

33. Torriel HarrisFebruary 19,2022 at 7:31PM UTC

    Lol. Ok lovely.

34. Kar TravelMarch 16,2022 at 5:50AM UTC

    For someone who came onto a forum to elicit comments you certainly don't handle the responses well or with business appropriate responses. You probably haven't realized you could actually learn something from some older people. You're just plain rude.

35. Summer BammesFebruary 15,2022 at 3:39PM UTC

    I don't see "Best Regards" as stodgy at all, but then again, I work in government and we can be pretty stodgy out of habit.

36. Helen LauFebruary 16,2022 at 1:36AM UTC

    I agree with what most have posted here.
    Context is key. I change it up depending on the audience. I do like my fair share of "Cheers" and "Thanks!" but I still use "Regards" or "Best Regards". I say do what you feel most comfortable with no regrets.

37. AnonymousFebruary 16,2022 at 3:24PM UTC

    Old times: work 9-5, work didn't come home with you.

    New times: your phone carries your email and you're expected to answer at any hour. I see a lot more people shooting off emails without intros or signatures because they are responding from their phone. They are already taking extra time to respond to emails, I don't expect a greeting or sign off.

    I think that applies for a lot of other "professional vs casual" areas as well. Technology has made it so that you can work from home: I'm going to dress casual at home.

    And as previously mentioned, "professional" was what old white men deemed the standard. You weren't allowed to bring your personality to work. The younger generations want to see that you're a person, not a corporate robot, so tattoos, purple hair, or workout pants show off who you are. I've found my customers (internal or external) treat me so much kinder when they've seen a little bit of personality.

38. Lori Ann DeLappe-GrondinFebruary 16,2022 at 7:43PM UTC

    Excellent points. I'm so sad about the fact that work follows us around...my husband checks his work email at all hours and his boss emails him at 11pm. He can't not do it. I work really hard to leave it at work in order to keep my sanity. They are not paying me for 24/7 access so they don't get it.

39. KFebruary 17,2022 at 12:29PM UTC

    I agree- I refuse to be a robot. I don't need everyone to know my business so I stay neutrally not in my casual clothes and not with purple hair, but I definitely think the idea that you're supposed to be some kind of uniformed service bot is vile. And yes, people are kinder when you show a bit of human warmth. That's what professional relationships are all about, I can't tell why it's taken this long for this to be realised....

40. AnonymousFebruary 17,2022 at 7:15PM UTC

    Professional is not what old white men deemed the standard. I’m of that generation and your welcome that my hard work has resulted in things slightly better for women in the workforce. Yup, wore a suit, stockings and heels to work every day, but I was in a law office so jeans were not appropriate except on the weekend. But my office was my space and reflected me. Pictures, mugs, whatever. We had casual Friday, until staff started showing up in booty shorts, halter tops and flip flops.

    I dress for the office casual now, jeans a lot of days, but not ones with holes, and not skimpy tops because that just isn’t necessary. I can reflect my personality and still be appropriately dressed for the occasion.

    You are correct that work follows people around now. We work longer hours because of our phones and iPads. “Back in the day” you worked 9-5 and that was it. Had to wear a suit while doing it? Oh well, you still had a life away from the office.

41. KFebruary 17,2022 at 12:27PM UTC

    Maybe change it to 'best wishes' and have it as part of your auto signature? Then it's vague enough to be professional, not excessively formal, and you'll never send an email at 1am forgetting to sign off properly ;-)

42. Sharon Clark ChangFebruary 17,2022 at 3:53PM UTC

    Stay classy, please. The older generation abstained from name-calling and dismissiveness in a business setting, and there's plenty to be learned from that kind of courteous behavior.

43. Torriel HarrisFebruary 17,2022 at 7:02PM UTC

    ??‍♀️ I said what I said and meant it. You can skip to the next comment. I didn't call anyone a name. I called their ideas outdated and tone deaf. It would do well to read the comment I made correctly. Have a good one.

44. Serena GarnerFebruary 17,2022 at 7:07PM UTC

    I don't know your age, but rudeness regarding age is just as rude as judging people based on hair color, tattoos, dress. Good manners shouldn't be reserved to any specific age. Being kind is being kind.