Do you speak corporate jargon?

I bet you have been in meetings this month where someone says the following:

“Let’s synergize our paradigm shifts and leverage our bandwidth to drill down and optimize our value-add. We’ll touch base and take it offline to ensure we’re on the same page. But remember, if we’re going to boil the ocean, we might as well drink the Kool-Aid!”

Did someone vomit jargon all over your Zoom call? Maybe they just asked you to circle back. Or they wanted you to run it up the flagpole. Or they advise you that the company does not want to boil the ocean.

Language matters and corporate jargon is pure nonsense.

Cliches typically don’t create clear communications. They blur direction like reading street signs without your glasses.

Communications Counts

In any business, effective communication can have help you get the right work done. Corporate jargon can only get in the way of clear directions.

Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle of boardrooms and emails, a particular murky language has emerged, filled with vague buzzwords and empty phrases that do little to enhance understanding.

From “synergy” to “thinking outside the box,” these hackneyed words and phrases clutter our conversations and hinder clear communication.

Jargon – A Primer

Synergy: This overused term suggests collaboration and cooperation but lacks specificity.

Circle back: Instead of saying, “Let’s discuss this later,” this phrase adds unnecessary complexity.

Think outside the box: An ambiguous way of encouraging innovation without providing concrete guidance.

Low-hanging fruit refers to easy or obvious tasks, which are often used to avoid discussing more challenging issues.

Please take it to the next level: Vague language that lacks clarity about the next level.

Leverage: Often used to mean “utilize,” but its overuse has stripped it of meaning.

Move the needle: A metaphor for making progress but lacks specificity.

Touch base: A euphemism for checking in but adds unnecessary verbosity.

Ping: Instead of simply “contact,” this term is used to sound more tech-savvy.

Bandwidth refers to capacity or availability, but it can be unclear outside of a technical context.

Paradigm shift: Often used to describe significant change but is overused and vague.

Boil the ocean: This refers to an impossible task but comes across as melodramatic.

Drink the Kool-Aid: Implying blind acceptance or conformity but lacking professionalism.

Run it up the flagpole: A convoluted way of saying “test an idea.”

Get the ball rolling: A cliché for starting something but lacks specificity.

Close the loop: Instead of “provide feedback,” this phrase is unnecessarily cryptic.

Reach out: A vague way of saying “contact” but adds unnecessary fluff.

Drill down: Instead of “investigate further,” this term adds unnecessary complexity.

Granular refers to detailed information, but it can sound pretentious and unclear.

On the same page: A metaphor for agreement but lacks specificity.

In the weeds: Refers to being bogged down by details but can be confusing to some.

At the end of the day, A cliché is used to conclude a point but adds little value.

Value-add: Referring to something that adds value but lacks specificity.

Optimize: Often used to mean “improve,” but is vague and overused.

Take it offline: Instead of simply “discussing later,” this phrase adds unnecessary complexity.

Now that we’ve identified these meaningless phrases, how can we avoid falling into the trap of corporate jargon?

Here Are Several Recommendations to Avoid Corporate Jargon:

• Think and Pause First: Before you use buzzwords, what are you trying to say? It is remarkable what thinking before you speak can do to make yourself clear.
• Be Clear and Concise: Use straightforward language that everyone can understand. Jargon typically weakens an argument.
• Avoid Buzzwords: Instead of clichés, articulate your ideas using concrete terms. If you want to sound thoughtful, don’t tell me about Kool-Aid.
• Focus on Specificity: Provide precise details and examples to enhance understanding. Be specific, not general.
• Encourage Open Communication: Create an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing themselves without jargon. Cliches can create an environment that seems superficial instead of thoughtful.
• Lead by Example: Set the tone for clear communication by avoiding corporate speaking in your language. If the boss is constantly telling you to find a value-add idea, it sends the message that mushy thinking is okay.

Jargon: “We need to think outside the box.” Clear Sentence: “We need to come up with a fresh approach.”

Jargon: “We should leverage our resources.” Clear Sentence: “We should take advantage of our most valuable resources.”

Jargon: “We need to drill down into the details.” Clear Sentence: “We need to examine the details closely.”

Jargon: “We must optimize our processes.” Clear Sentence: “We must improve how we get this work done.”

Jargon: “Let’s synergize on this project.” Clear Sentence: “Let’s collaborate effectively on this project.”

What’s the Danger?

Using jargon in corporate settings can pose several significant dangers, undermining effective communication and productivity. Here are three of the most significant risks associated with the use of jargon:

Miscommunication and Lack of Clarity:

One of the primary dangers of using jargon is the potential for miscommunication. Jargon often relies on specialized terminology or ambiguous phrases that may not be universally understood. This can lead to confusion among team members, clients, or stakeholders who are unfamiliar with the specific language used.

When communication lacks clarity, it can result in misunderstandings, errors, and inefficiencies in the workplace. Individuals may struggle to collaborate effectively or make informed decisions without a clear understanding of the message being conveyed.

Exclusion and Alienation:

Another significant danger of jargon is its potential to exclude or alienate individuals not in the in-group that understand the language. Jargon can create barriers between those familiar with the terminology and those not, leading to feelings of exclusion or inadequacy among team members.

This can particularly impact new employees, individuals from different departments or backgrounds, or external stakeholders who may not be privy to the specialized language used within the organization. When specific individuals feel alienated or left out of the conversation, it can erode trust, diminish morale, and impede collaboration within the team.

Loss of Authenticity and Credibility:

Overusing jargon can also result in losing authenticity and credibility in communication. When individuals rely too heavily on buzzwords or clichés, it can be insincere or disingenuous. Jargon may be perceived to obfuscate meaning or sound more knowledgeable than one is rather than genuinely conveying ideas clearly and transparently.

This can undermine trust in leadership, diminish the credibility of the message being communicated, and ultimately damage the reputation of the individual or organization. Without authentic and credible communication, fostering genuine connections, inspiring trust, and driving meaningful outcomes within the corporate setting becomes challenging.

The dangers of using jargon in corporate settings include miscommunication, lack of clarity, exclusion, alienation of individuals, and loss of authenticity and credibility in communication. To mitigate these risks, it’s essential to prioritize clear and transparent communication, avoid over-reliance on specialized language, and strive to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where all individuals feel valued and understood. Strive to communicate with clarity and purpose, leaving the meaningless buzzwords and corporate jargon behind.

If I missed some of your favorite buzzwords, please follow up to close the loop and identify that low-hanging fruit that I missed.

Connect with Jeff at The Marketing Sage Consultancy. Interested in setting up a call with me? Use my calendly to schedule a time to talk. The call is free, and we can discuss your brand and marketing needs. If you want to learn more about my new offering, The Trusted Advisor Board, you can click here to learn the details. Feel free to email me at jeffslater@themarketing sage.com or text 919 720 0995. Thanks for your interest in working with The Marketing Sage Consultancy.

Photo by Buzz Andersen on Unsplash

Photo by Uday Mittal on Unsplash