💼 "Let's put a pin in this for now, maybe circle back later when we're ready to get our ducks in a row and really grab the low hanging fruit by putting some boots on the ground"
Who talks like that, really? 🤦♀️
Apparently, 86% of corporate workers use this type of jargon, according to research, but, 33% of them don't even fully understand all the terms.
It's true that we all love to hate words and phrases like FYI, sync, pushback, take offline and align. But, they are still being used extensively, even in job posts. We've all seen job descriptions that include buzzwords like rockstar, work hard-play hard, fast-paced, ninja, guru, hit the ground running, wear many hats etc.
Corporate jargon is more than just annoying...it's also dehumanizing and probably hurting your ability to connect with others in the workplace, especially as a #leader.
Despite their popularity, 55% of job applicants view these buzzwords in job postings negatively. Moreover, when jargon is used in company-wide announcements, employees perceive it as ambiguous, pretentious or even insensitive.
⁉ What's the point of corporate lingo?
The kind of language we use helps shape our #culture; either within the #workplace or in any type of community. Mimicking language patterns creates a sense of belonging and ensures mutual understanding.
Jargon signals group membership and it can facilitate social bonding. Like other social norms, if “everyone else is doing it,” the temptation to use corporate jargon can be powerful.
However, the dark side of using jargon in the corporate world is to deliberately obscure meaning so, instead of "laying off staff" you will most likely hear words like restructuring, streamlining and cutting capacity. These buzzwords have been used so much that they are stripped off their genuine (and painful) meaning so, in a way, they're there to keep the peace.
👉 How to use jargon as a leader? Don't!
If you want to create a safe and inclusive work environment for your teams, then you have to cut down on buzzwords. Leaders should mode the use of plain, direct speech that signals honesty and transparency.
Take a page from Warren Buffet's practice of composing his annual shareholder report as if he’s writing to his two sisters, who aren’t active in business. Rather than attempting to show off his vast knowledge and insider status with the latest business jargon, Buffett is much more interested in making the report informative and accessible.
So, if you want to build trust and add clarity to your #communication, keep your message simple and buzzword-free.
Commenti