Words Used in Email Can Predict Sender's Work Hierarchy
Research results recently released by scientists at Georgia Tech suggests that some of the vocabulary we use in emails can reliably predict whether the email is sent up or down the organizational chart.
Sure, there are words you would never write to your boss, but people below you. But would you believe that the phrase below are indicative for an email to be sent downward?
- have you been
- you gave
- we are in
- title
- need in
And the use of the phrases below points to an email that was sent to your boss?
- the ability to
- I took
- are available
- kitchen
- thought you would
Researchers at GeorgiaTech believe they have found prove for this claim when they examined are portion of 500,000 emails sent by 150 former Enron employees.
“Across a wide variety of messages and relationships, these phrases consistently stand out as signaling a power relationship between two people,” said Eric Gilbert, assistant professor in the School of Interactive Computing. “The probability of it occurring due to chance alone is less than 1 in 1,000.
Gilbert said that the results you lead to the development of smarter email software. For example, email software could automatically predict a subset of possible recipients of an email and simplify the selection of recipients. Email messages could also get scheduling features: "Post-5 pm messages from people under you, for example, might get held for delivery until the next day, while emails from the boss—or the boss’ assistant—could go right through," the scientists said.
The entire list of phrases enabling reliable predictions is published in a paper published by Eric Gilbert.
- Sony Says Price of Whitney Albums Raised By Mistake
- WSJ: Apple Testing Smaller iPad; AT&T, VZN to Get iPad 3
- Rumor: HTC Working on Music Streaming Service
- Chrome to Surpass IE Market Share by End of March
- Repair Site Makes iPad 3 Prototype With Rumored Components
- Skyrim Dog Costumes to Sell on Ebay
- Time Warner Now Streams TV to PC, Mac
- HTC Devices Receiving PlayStation Certification in 2012
- iPad 3 With A6, LTE, Retina Launch Rumored to be March 7
- Motorola Releases Status on ICS Upgrade Schedule
- Archos Offering 9.7" Gingerbread Tablet for $229.99 USD
- Is This Motorola's First Intel-powered ICS Phone?
- Skype Co-founder Wants To Offer Free 4G LTE via FreedomPop
- Congress Wants Answers Regarding iOS Apps and Privacy
- FCC Finally Nuking Annoying "Robocalls" With New Rules
- Hulu Plus Finally Arrives On Nintendo Wii
- Anonymous Threatens To Shut Down Internet Next Month
- Report Compares Top Issues With Kindle Fire and iPad 2
- Battery Device Turns Sea Water Into Freshwater
It's only words, and words are all i have to send you in my mail.
Obviously those stupid enough to use the word "kitchen" in an email are destined for low level positions. Other phrases that indicated position of authority included, but were not limited to "It wasn't my idea" "yea but i was off the clock" "who gives a fuck"
Obviously those stupid enough to use the word "kitchen" in an email are destined for low level positions. Other phrases that indicated position of authority included, but were not limited to "It wasn't my idea" "yea but i was off the clock" "who gives a fuck"
Obviously those stupid enough to use the word "kitchen" in an email are destined for low level positions. Other phrases that indicated position of authority included, but were not limited to "It wasn't my idea" "yea but i was off the clock" "who gives a fuck"
Obviously those stupid enough to use the word "kitchen" in an email are destined for low level positions. Other phrases that indicated position of authority included, but were not limited to "It wasn't my idea" "yea but i was off the clock" "who gives a fuck"
Im drunk. I mean my accounts been hacked.
the ability to
I took
are available
kitchen
thought you would
And great, I am a boss now
one word - bullshit???
the ability to
I took
are available
kitchen
thought you would
And great, I am a boss now
INot really. Read the article again and you will see why...
Yeah, I want some AI software decide where and when my email goes out.
Please, we can not make a "spill checkers" that catches obviously misplaced words.
:-)
I thought you would like to know, my wife started extra seeds this year. I took some of the excess and put them in the kitchen down the hall. They are available for anyone who would like some.
I'm certainly not ready to call BS on what was likely a very carefully done statistical analysis, but I would question its importance and relevance. Come on, Tech, you can do better.
In that case, there are a lot of personal assistances, having sex with their boss in the kitchen.
How about you "prove"-read your article before you submit it?
Next, GT will research software to proofread the articles Tom's posts. Must be something lost in translation.
"I took the liberty of clearing your afternoon schedule. I told everyone you are available to meet tomorrow. I thought you would like to meet me in the kitchen after 3. I have the ability to make your afternoon very worthwhile."
Yup, for the boss.
These tend to inquire about status or confirm status or dictate direction: have you been, you gave, we are in, title, need in
These tend to report status or share status options or inform that you might want to make a decision: the ability to, I took, are available, kitchen, thought you would
kitchen kinda gets me a little. Curious if that is just Enron specific... perhaps they had a kitchen for employees to use and the workers often told on people for not cleaning.
Anyhow this is inline with Scientific Content Analysis (SCAN) so I basically trust it. Still Kitchen gets me and I am curious under what cases title is used.
Maybe I should test it on my boss by using boss speak. "I think you have been neglecting your duties again. You gave yourself time off while the rest of us were busting our butts. We are in the win mode while you are in the f-off mode. You have the title of boss but you act like the slacker. You need to get in with us or I will be taking your position."
Yeah then again...
I don't think we need another avenue for "improving your computing experience" that leaves us open for further privacy invasion and such. Besides, imagine how annoying this would be when it doesn't include the recipient you want in it's suggested recipients. It could be like texting on a phone with auto-correct/finish all over again, except with the possibility of doing more harm than mild embarrassment. Imagine your boss getting a message intended for your spouse, it's not too unlikely if you're not paying enough attention.
Waoooo, this is deep!!! Get real.....
Obviously how you write to your mom is different from how you write to your buddies. The same applies to bosses and coworkers.
Add to this the large number of exchanges either across borders or with non-native speakers of the English language.
Remember that 'knocking up a bitch' can have different meanings !