An Email Editor Redefines What “Professionalism” Means

Modern professional communication should be genderless, however it often promotes masculine language and styles while undervaluing feminine ones. Stop The Party, a not-for-profit organisation, is here to change that. Developed to address gendered business language that contributes to the gender wage gap, MissType is an email editor that analyses your writing and offers suggestions that helps everyone communicate more effectively. 

Feminine communication style creates empathy and promotes a team environment, but is seen as ‘weak’ in a business context. Gendered business language contributes to this gap because women are judged based on feminised language.

Despite studies, including findings from the Harvard Business Review, that confirm women are 84% more effective at communicating than men, language such as ‘I think’, ‘I feel’, open-ended questions, speech softeners and apologising hold women back in performance reviews and job postings because of the unconscious bias that favours male language styles.

MissType uses artificial intelligence to scan your email and make recommendations to create a more effective piece of communication. It helps you work towards an ideal business language that is a combination of traditionally “male” and “female” communication styles – a universal business language that is direct and empathic (Reference: Kim Scott’s radical Candor framework).

MissType changes the very definition of professionalism by empowering users to show up authentically at work and encourages us all to broaden our definition of what language means in a workplace. "We believe it's time to make room for feminine speech," said Erika Maginn, co-founder of Stop The Party. "Miss Type is designed to help users understand the scrutiny feminine emails endure and navigate it effectively. By incorporating language that resonates with their authentic voice, users can communicate with clarity and impact."

In this way, MissType is more than just a tool; it's a catalyst for change in professional communication and the definition of “professionalism”. By raising awareness of unconscious bias and providing practical solutions, MissType is a resource to help empower women and employers to understand the unconscious bias, implement new practices, and make the workplace more equitable for all.

MissType was developed for Women’s History Month by VML Canada and is being promoted through owned and earned media channels. 
For more information and to about MissType and to try it for yourself visit here. For more information about Stop The Party, visit here.