Editorial
A few years ago (and what feels like a thousand times since), I sat in a meeting with several business leaders that started with, "We have brought the following teams together to create opportunities for collaboration and synergies and to share best practices. Our goal is to streamline a framework that formulates and incentivizes increased revenue streams.”
Many of us will read this, and say, ”Yes, I get it.” But are these statements actually defining a clear goal for that meeting? While jargon may seem like an efficient way to convey ideas, it masks true intentions with convoluted language and ambiguous phrases, hinders effective communication and fosters misunderstandings.
Jargon Inhibits Feelings of Belonging
Organizations use language to drive certain behaviors and expectations across teams. Words can help create a unifying culture where everyone is working towards a common purpose. When jargon is used to hide intent — or worse, create challenges for any employee not in the in-group — it becomes a real business problem. This can put new hires, employees of different generations, and employees of various cultural, linguistic and professional backgrounds at a disadvantage.
Business jargon helps maintain power structures within organizations. Those who are well-versed in jargon gain an advantage over those who are not, which creates an imbalance of power. By intentionally using difficult to understand language, individuals assert their dominance and control over conversations. Think of the acronym soup people use everyday. If you are new to a company, the most difficult thing to learn is often how organizations use acronyms and jargon.
Over my career, I've been frustrated at having to learn, unlearn and remember all the ways needed to communicate whenever I moved jobs or industries. Asking for reminders felt disempowering, as if I was not trying hard enough to fit in. Even at an executive level, this can create power challenges.
Leaders should encourage employees to express themselves in simple and straightforward language, and reinforce the change with their own language choices. Initiatives that focus on effective communication techniques can help here. By emphasizing the importance of clarity, executives can create an environment where everyone understands the needs and goals of their leadership.
Related Article: Communication and Collaboration at a Crossroads
Jargon Limits Our Communication Skills
Business-speak shortcuts ultimately limit our ability to think critically. Even worse, their overuse can limit freedom of expression and discourage employees from thinking broadly or sharing different points of view. When people feel pressured to conform to a specific jargon-laden language, they may hesitate to challenge norms or propose fresh ideas.
Jargon acts as a mental shortcut, so we don't have to think too hard to articulate what we mean or what we want. Clear communication can make us feel vulnerable, but the benefit is that we are forced to clarify our intentions. Clarity can trigger critical questions. The words we use and the positioning we take matter if we want to reach our desired outcomes.
For example, leaning on terms like "focus on the low-hanging fruit" are effective ways to stall impactful transformations. Transformation implies an expensive and resource-heavy set of work. There probably won't be return on investment for years. So we start looking for “quick wins'” and “low-hanging fruit” to create immediate gains.
Let’s reframe what this could/should mean. Instead of spending resources and time on a quick win, let’s ask better questions. A more focused question might instead be “What defines success along the way?” and "What are the goals of each phase?” By identifying a program's ideal outcomes and working to define how we can efficiently achieve those objectives, we can work on the right things, while still accomplishing near-term goals. Without defining what “low hanging fruit” is, we focus on what is easy rather than what is impactful. We add time and budget without creating an impact.
If removing acronyms and jargon seems impossible, another approach could be to develop a company-wide glossary, shared as part of onboarding. This resource can serve as a reference guide for employees, providing explanations and alternatives for commonly used terms. By creating a shared understanding of what these terms mean and offering simpler alternatives, businesses can facilitate clearer communication and avoid misunderstandings.
Removing Jargon Creates Better Experiences
By working across business lines, experience professionals see things that are often unacknowledged or unknown. We can harness our capabilities as storytellers to strip out the nonsense words, represent the facts and present the opportunities. Our challenge is to connect our insights with the language of the place to align to the organization's purpose.
Storytelling has an innate ability to simplify complex concepts. Business-speak often strips language of its human touch, replacing it with cold,technical terms. Jargon is forgettable, because in a word-salad of overused terms, nothing makes the thought stand out. By presenting information within a narrative structure, we break convoluted ideas into relatable and understandable experiences. Stories leave a lasting impression. Storytelling reintroduces the human element, connecting people on a deeper level. By removing jargon and introducing real-life examples into business discussions, leaders can foster empathy and create a sense of shared purpose.
Related Article: Courage Coach: How to Deliver Communications That Stick
How Can We Reduce Jargon?
Company team language works when it leans into a culture that is clear, honest and verifiable through reinforcement programs like recognition or loyalty initiatives. When we call ourselves “Team X” or “COMPANY NAME Proud,” it can motivate people and drive a sense of value and pride. The problem arises when we use jargon or office speak to hide intention or to hinder team or personal progress.
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Leaders within the organization should set an example by using plain language in all communications. Executives and managers should strive to communicate in a way that is accessible to all employees, regardless of their level of expertise or familiarity with industry-specific terminology. By adopting a clear and concise communication style, leaders can inspire others to do the same.
Removing business jargon is a gradual process that requires a conscious effort from all levels of the organization. By promoting clear communication, providing resources, leading by example and actively seeking feedback, businesses can create an environment that fosters effective communication and breaks down the barriers caused by excessive jargon.
And every so often, challenge how certain common phrases are used. Don’t be afraid of the results — it can open the door to new thinking and fresh ideas.
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