Dear Buzzwords,
It’s over between us. We had our fun when I first entered the business world after college and felt like a real adult every time I said things like “ROI” and “EOB.” But things have gotten a bit out of control.
Don’t get me wrong, you are fine in small doses. I understand that it is easier to text an acronym than to type out the entire phrase. And I understand that there are some industry-specific terms that can’t be avoided.
But sometimes it just goes too far. What started out as an attempt at communication has turned into just the opposite. If you want to connect with me, don’t say “connectivity.”
It’s not me, buzzwords. It’s you. At first I thought that perhaps I was being too harsh. So I did a little research and realized that a lot of trustworthy publications and organizations feel as fed up as I do.
The Harvard Business Review, Chicago Tribune, and Inc. have all published articles about how buzzwords need to stop. The American Institute of Architects had a Twitter chat discussing how buzzwords can lead to major communication issues. Buzzword frustration seems to be almost everywhere.
In order for people to communicate better at work, buzzwords need to be reined in. Take a moment to read the speech bubble of the image above. Can’t you hear how silly it sounds?
More importantly, if people have to deconstruct your sentences and break them down in order to understand them, something is wrong.
Buzzwords, you have even reached the point of damaging people’s careers. Brands that use too many buzzwords have a harder time engaging with customers and getting their message across. Executives that use buzzwords can lose the trust of their employees. Jobseekers can make themselves look bad if they don’t use the most current industry terms.
Communication skills are crucial to any career, so it’s important to encourage students and employees to speak and write clearly.
Most people like honest, simple and direct communication. Using too many buzzwords can bore people or frustrate them.
Let’s cut out the jargon, shall we? Picture it: Presentations will be more effective. People will stop rolling their eyes during conference calls and meetings. Perfection!
Look, buzzwords, you’ve lost your luster. Phrases like “thought leader” start seeming meaningless when everyone labels themselves as such.
If companies want their employees to be creative and innovative, dropping clichés and corporate jargon could help kick start their critical thinking.
Goodbye, buzzwords. It’s been real.
Sincerely,
Erin Palmer
Erin Palmer is a writer and editor who refuses to label herself as a “Word Ninja.” Her work has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including The Chicago Tribune and The Huffington Post.
