??Drop the sweet talk: Choose words that matter??

Hi BrainBitters,

The words we use truly matter. Language shapes the way we think.

In this ??Rethink: Eve's BrainBits ?? we explore the subtle but significant difference between sweetness and kindness. A distinction that often gets overlooked in both our personal and professional lives.

Years ago, I was speaking with someone I deeply respect, and I commented, “That’s sweet.” Her response was unexpected: “Thank you, but I’m not sure being called sweet is really a compliment.”

That moment gave me pause: why do we default to sweet to describe certain actions, and what might we be missing when we do?

Why this matters

In professional settings, this difference can be profound:

• Sweetness tends to stay on the surface. It’s about being agreeable or comforting. While those are nice qualities, calling someone sweet can unintentionally reduce thoughtful actions to something light or even trivial.
• Kindness goes deeper. Kindness is rooted in empathy, thoughtfulness, and a genuine desire to positively impact others. In the workplace, it’s transformative. It manifests in active listening, genuine support, and creating environments where others can thrive. Unlike sweetness, kindness has weight and authenticity.

"Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom." – Theodore Isaac Rubin

The bias in our words

Research highlights a troubling pattern: words like sweet are disproportionately used to describe women, often reinforcing stereotypes of passivity and agreeableness. In contrast, men are more often described with action-oriented terms like strong or decisive.

This isn’t just about language; it’s about perception. The words we choose shape how we see others and how their contributions are valued.

Your call to action

Next time you’re about to call someone “sweet,” stop and think:

• Are you truly honoring the depth of their actions?
• Would a word like kind, insightful, or empathetic better reflect their impact?

Let’s move beyond shallow descriptors and start choosing words that recognize the depth and intention behind actions. With just a shift in language, we can help build cultures that truly appreciate and uplift others.

Stay curious. Stay inspired. Keep exploring.

Cheers,

P.S. Ring the ?? so you don’t miss any of Rethink: Eve's BrainBits.

About Me

Thank you for being a part of Rethink: Eve’s BrainBits. Your support and curiosity are what keep this journey alive. Some of you have asked why I’m writing this.

My mission is to help your law firm and organization unlock their full potential and thrive in current landscape.

This journey has taken me through some of the world’s top business schools—Oxford-Sa?d, Harvard Business School, Kellogg, and Stanford GSB.

As a strategic advisor, I specialize in leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation. I apply evidence-based methods to help firms become a better place to work.

In addition to my advisory work, I serve as a Course Facilitator at Stanford GSB and as an advisory council for Harvard Business Review.

My goal is to support you and your firm’s success. Together, we rethink and reshape work and business.

Rethink, Reflect, Revise. "We transform, you grow."