Hey Higher Ed Pro's... Lose the “Just” (Say It Without Apologizing)

by Claire L. Brady, EdD

A note about this series: This is a multi-part series for higher ed pros who want to lead boldly (without turning into someone they’re not). Higher ed is full of brilliant, community-driven leaders who tiptoe through their careers using language designed to sound polite, careful, accurate, and pleasant. But here’s the truth: Language shapes perception—and perception shapes opportunity. Words can shrink your influence, or they can expand it. This series is for the quietly powerful humans who are ready to take up a little more space in their own stories—without losing their collaborative soul.

Your inbox deserves the same confidence you bring to the work.

My name is Claire, and I am a recovering just-ifier.

• Just checking in.

• Just following up.

• Just hoping this makes sense.

• Just a quick question.

If you work in higher education, you’ve written some version of these phrases more times than you can count. I certainly have. “Just” is a tiny word that sneaks into our emails like lint into a pocket—and quietly diminishes our authority every time we type it.

What makes “just” tricky is that it feels polite. Harmless. Even kind. But language carries meaning whether we intend it to or not. And in professional communication, especially in leadership contexts, small words can have outsized impact.

Why “Just” Is a Problem

In emails, “just” often signals something we don’t mean to say out loud:

• I don’t want to bother you.

• I’m not totally sure I belong here.

• My request might be inconvenient or unreasonable.

• Permission, please?

The intent behind “just” is almost always relational. We’re trying to be considerate. But the impact is subtle self-minimization. It’s like lowering your voice mid-sentence—without realizing you’ve done it.

In leadership communication, clarity and confidence matter. When we soften too much, we unintentionally undercut our message and our role.

Try These Simple Reframes

This isn’t about sounding cold or overly formal. It’s about letting your words match the substance of your work.

Instead of:

❌ “Just checking in…”
✅ “Checking in to confirm…”

❌ “Just wanted to share…”
✅ “Sharing an update…”

❌ “I was just wondering…”
✅ “I’m requesting…” or “I’d like to ask…”

❌ “Just let me know…”
✅ “Please let me know…”

One word out. Confidence in.

Notice what doesn’t change: the tone can still be warm, respectful, and collaborative. What changes is the signal you’re sending about your authority and intention.

Where “Just” Shows Up Most

For many higher ed professionals, minimizing language tends to appear in specific moments:

• Emails to senior leaders or faculty

• Requests for information or decisions

• Deadline nudges or follow-ups

• Cross-department collaboration

• Any message where the stakes feel emotional or political

The pattern is telling. We shrink most when we’re unsure we “deserve” the ask—even when the ask is fully within our role.

A One-Week Challenge

If you’re curious how often this shows up, try this:

• Search your sent emails for the word “just.”
  You may gasp. We all do.

• Remove it from five outgoing emails this week.
  Notice how neutral and direct you already sound.

• Swap in phrases like “I’m following up…” or “Please confirm…”
  Watch how people respond. (Spoiler: they don’t flinch.)

• Save your strongest rewritten sentences in a draft folder.
  You’ll quickly build a bank of confident, reusable language.

A Final Thought

You can be warm, thoughtful, and collaborative without minimizing your presence. Eliminating “just” doesn’t make you abrupt. It makes you clear.

Your work matters.
Your time matters.
Your words should reflect that.

And if you catch yourself typing “just” tomorrow? No shame. Delete it—and hit send anyway.