Just Say What You Mean

Buzzwords. Jargon. Corporate lingo.

Whether you love or hate the idea, company workplaces often embrace the use of verbiage that is unclear and overused. While buzzwords show up in various forms of communication, they are most common* in emails (38%), in person (29%), or in instant messages (24%). *Preply survey.

Popular Buzzwords

According to Business News Daily, some of the buzzwords to avoid (based on 2023 data) include:

• New normal

• Culture

• Circle back

• Give 110%

• Team player

• Synergy

• Low-hanging fruit

Our workplaces are already complicated and difficult to navigate. There are often different levels of willingness and ability, diversity issues, and even family dynamics at work every day.

Why would we make the situation worse by filling memos and meetings with useless words and phrases that further confuse each other?

Communication is a complicated process. Few leaders are good listeners and may toss buzzwords about like clichés. This practice does little to bring clarity or understanding into the workplace.

A Better Way

Let’s ban business jargon altogether and use words and phrases that allow us to explore the context of a given situation or simply express what we actually mean.

Here are some examples using the previous buzzwords list.

• “New normal” is a context specific phrase connected with major events like the post-World War 1 era or the COVID-19 pandemic. Don’t use it for every change you encounter at work.

• “Culture” is important to organizational health, but using the word without a reference to values makes it feel empty or exclusive.

• “Circle back” sounds dismissive; use actual time frames so employees know what is expected.

• “Give 110%” is often used to encourage engagement but, when people are already at or beyond capacity, it can feel like criticism. Instead, try phrases like “we can do this” or “let’s all do our best.”

• “Team player” can feel passive aggressive or imply a lack of effort. If leaders regularly offer encouragement and meaningful praise, this buzzword won’t be needed.

• “Synergy” is another overused buzzword that has lost all meaning. Try actually describing the successful interaction between two or more entities to make your point.

• “Low-hanging fruit” is a lazy way to define success. Without context, it has little meaning. In reality, harvesting fruit from the upper branches of a tree requires more effort, but yields better results.

One More Thing

I’m pretty sure we are all tired of corporate buzzwords. With some practice and discipline, it is possible to reinvent how we communicate in the workplace.

Ask more questions, get comfortable with pauses in conversations, and change your leadership language to model this new behavior. If you need a buzzword, be sure it fits your company’s unique situations or needs.

Sounds like an out of the box idea to me! Hmm...maybe I need to rephrase that.

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