The Continual Persistence Of People Using Cringe Corporate Buzzwords To Try And Come Across As Cool
There is one thing that never changes in the workplace. It’s the obsession of people to latch onto hot, new trendy corporate buzzwords. These phrases continue to evolve, and old ones fall out of favor.
For instance, "thinking outside the box" and "bandwidth" have been around for a while but continue to irritate many professionals. Newer additions like "new normal" and "pivot" gained popularity in response to recent global events and changing business landscapes.
In recent years, some of the most cringeworthy corporate jargon includes "synergy," "circle back" and "give 110%."
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
The Persistence Of Corporate Speak
The evolution of corporate jargon often reflects broader societal and technological changes. Terms like "Zoom" as a verb have entered the lexicon due to the rise of video conferencing. Similarly, phrases like "hot desking" have become more common as office layouts and work patterns change.
Despite efforts to communicate more clearly, corporate buzzwords persist. Many professionals use them to sound more authoritative or to fit in with company culture, even though research suggests that overuse of jargon can hinder effective communication.
Buzzwords are often used in corporate environments for several reasons, primarily revolving around communication, identity and social dynamics. One of the main motivations is the desire to sound knowledgeable and current; using trendy jargon can create an impression of being "in the know," which can enhance an individual's credibility among peers.
This phenomenon can indeed feel like a subtle power trip, as those who master the latest buzzwords may perceive themselves as possessing insider knowledge that sets them apart from others.
Additionally, the use of buzzwords can foster a sense of belonging within a particular corporate culture, allowing individuals to align themselves with the values and goals of their organization.
In some cases, it might even be an attempt to appear innovative or forward-thinking, as using contemporary language can suggest that one is engaged with the latest trends and ideas.
However, this practice can backfire, leading to misunderstandings or alienation among colleagues who may find the jargon confusing or pretentious. Ultimately, while buzzwords can serve as a tool for connection and identity, their overuse can detract from clear communication and genuine engagement.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Military Phrases In The Workplace
Business leaders try to mirror military strategy in the corporate world, using phrases like "mission critical" or "boots on the ground" to frame business challenges in a competitive light, prompting employees to approach tasks with urgency and determination.
The use of military jargon in the workplace has garnered criticism for being cringeworthy and inappropriate. Phrases like "war room" for document reviews are overly dramatic and unnecessary, further contributing to the cringe factor associated with military lingo in the office.
Common Military Terms In Corporate America
"Mission critical": This term emphasizes the importance of a task or project, suggesting that it is essential for success. However, it can be seen as overdramatic in non-military contexts.
"Boots on the ground": Often used to describe having personnel actively engaged in a project or situation, though it can be criticized for being overly militaristic when referring to office work.
"In the trenches": This phrase is used to describe being deeply involved in the day-to-day challenges of a project, although it can be viewed as an exaggeration in a corporate context.
"Circle back": A common phrase in meetings that suggests revisiting a topic later, akin to regrouping in a military operation.
"Actionable": This term refers to information that can be acted upon immediately, often used in discussions about strategies and plans.
"All hands on deck": This phrase calls for everyone’s involvement in a task, similar to rallying troops for a mission.
"War room": A dedicated space for strategizing and problem-solving, often used for project planning or crisis management.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Other Cringe Corporate Buzzwords
"Let's take this offline": A euphemism for discussing something in private, which can feel dismissive in meetings.
"Low-hanging fruit": Referring to easy tasks or targets, often seen as patronizing.
"In the weeds": Describing a state of being overwhelmed by details, which can sound overly dramatic.
"Move the goalposts": Changing the criteria for success, which can imply unfairness in expectations.
"Touch base": A vague way to say "let's talk," often used excessively without real intent.
"Synergy": A buzzword that suggests collaboration, but can sound empty if not backed by action.
"Bandwidth": Referring to capacity or availability, which can confuse those unfamiliar with the term.
"Core competency": A term that is often used without clear meaning, leading to confusion.
"Value-added": This phrase is intended to emphasize benefits but can sound insincere if overused.
"Heads down": Refers to a state of intense focus and concentration on specific tasks or projects, often implying that an individual is in "do not disturb" mode.
"Double-click": Means to delve deeper into a topic or issue, akin to how one would double-click a computer file to open it for more information.
"Granular": Refers to a level of detail that is specific and thorough.
"Best practices": The most effective and efficient methods or techniques for accomplishing a task or achieving a goal.
“Moving the needle”: Making a significant impact or noticeable change in a particular area of a business.
"Unpack": Means to break down a complex idea, topic or issue into its individual components for better understanding and analysis.
"Put a pin in that": To temporarily pause or set aside a discussion or topic for later consideration.
“Alignment”: The process of ensuring that individuals or teams share a common understanding of goals, objectives and strategies, and are working collaboratively toward those ends.
“Close the loop”: Means to wrap up a topic, discussion, or process with a firm conclusion or resolution.
“Deliverables”: Refers to a specific output or result that is produced as part of a project or process.
“Hard stop”: A specific, non-negotiable end time for a meeting or discussion.
“Moving parts”: The various components, elements, or factors involved in a project or situation that contribute to its complexity.
“Ducks in a row”: Means to get organized or to ensure that everything is in order before proceeding with a task or project.
“EOD”: A deadline for completing tasks or projects by the close of the business day, typically around 5:00 PM.
“Reinvent the wheel”: Refers to the unnecessary effort of duplicating or recreating something that has already been effectively developed or established by others.
“Tangible results”: Refer to measurable and concrete outcomes that can be clearly observed or quantified.
“Run it up the flagpole”: To present an idea or proposal to others to gauge their reactions or approval before making a decision.
“Piggyback”: To leverage or take advantage of an existing idea, resource or initiative to support a new project or effort.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Jeff Bogdan, Former Director, Learning & Development At Microsoft: How To Create Your Own Job
Jeff began his career as a software engineer at Microsoft. We explore the company's culture in the '90s and discuss the launches of Windows 95, the Zune media player, and Windows Phone. Jeff shares what he learned from the failures and how they propelled him to new career opportunities, including a new role he pitched to a corporate vice president. This episode is a must-listen if you've ever thought about creating your own perfect job.
Thriving In Chaos: How To Be Super Successful, Wealthy And Happy In A F*cked-Up World
We all have something in common: there’s an innate human desire to succeed in life—socially and at work. We want to be loved, forge lasting, fulfilling relationships, enjoy career and financial success and lead wonderful, productive lives.
This seems reasonably simple enough. However, it’s getting exceedingly difficult to stand out in a crowded workplace to get noticed and appreciated for your hard work and efforts, especially in a doom-and-gloom, tough economic environment with high inflation and costs continually rising.
Success in life and work is about developing a holistic approach that nurtures various aspects of personal and professional growth. Despite the odds, you must cultivate a combination of factors that include possessing a positive mindset and attitude, grit, a strong work ethic, a sense of purpose and fostering constructive habits to reach your goals and ambitions.
The goal of this book is to offer the tools, advice and guidance to succeed in your life and work.