How I shifted from over-apologizing to being taken seriously | Anu Sticking On

I wasn’t editing my email. I was editing myself.

“Just checking in! 😊”
“Whenever you have time! 🙏🏽”
“Thanks so much!!”

Ever sent an email like that… then hated yourself for it?

Early in my career, I caught myself rewriting a perfectly fine email.

I had written: “I need the report by Friday.”

But then I “softened” it to: “Just checking in! Could you send the report whenever you have time? Thanks so much! 😊

For years, I did this dance.

Softening every message, apologizing for existing in someone’s inbox, cushioning every request with unnecessary politeness.

Meanwhile, my male colleagues sent: “Need the report by Friday.”

No flourishes, no apologies. Just facts.

And their emails got faster responses.

What I wish I’d told 25-year-old me: Clear communication isn’t rude. It’s professional.

Direct isn’t aggressive. It’s efficient.

I stopped padding my emails years ago. Started sending clear, direct messages. The result? Exactly what you’d expect.

No one thought I was “rude”.

In fact, people respected the clarity. Work moved faster.

When I mentor women now, I tell them:

Write the dang email and skip the emoji audit. Your professionalism will speak for itself.

What’s the last thing you sent in an email to sound “nicer”? Looking forward to your answer at connect@anubulusu.com!