Generation Z are rejecting corporate jargon

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Are you speaking corporate jargon without even realizing it? If phrases like “circle back” and “low-hanging fruit” are slipping into your everyday vocabulary, you might have become a corporate animal without even realizing it. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many of us fall into the trap of using these buzzwords, often without even knowing it.

Recent insights reveal that Gen Z is shaking things up in the workplace, rejecting traditional corporate speak. According to an article in Business Insider, a survey by LinkedIn and Duolingo shows that nearly half of young professionals feel left out when colleagues use confusing phrases like “blue sky thinking.” They’re choosing to communicate more clearly and directly, leaving the jargon behind.

So, how can you tell if you’ve caught the jargon bug? Here are a few signs:

You’re “leveraging” everything from resources to relationships.
You “ping” coworkers more than you chat with them.
You discuss “synergies” as if you’re a mergers and acquisitions expert.
“Deep dives” and “actionable insights” are your go-to for any meeting.
You plan to “pivot” at the drop of a hat, even if you’re not sure what that means.

While these phrases can make you sound like a seasoned professional, they can also be unnecessarily complex and alienating. As Gen Z reminds us, clear and straightforward communication often works best. It’s time to drop the “paradigm shifts” and “scalable solutions” in favor of plain, honest conversation.

Here’s a handy glossary of some common corporate jargon, just in case you need a refresher:

above my pay grade. outside the scope of one’s responsibility
actionable insights: useful findings from data analysis that can directly inform decisions or actions.
agile: a flexible and iterative approach to project management and software development.
alignment: ensuring that all parts of an organization are working towards the same goals.
bandwidth: the capacity or resources available for a task or project, often referring to time or attention.
benchmarking: comparing business processes and performance metrics to industry bests or best practices.
best practices: widely accepted methods or techniques that are considered most effective for achieving desired outcomes.
big picture: the overall perspective or larger context of a situation, beyond specific details.
blue sky thinking (US): creative thinking that is unrestricted by practical constraints.
boiling the ocean (US): Attempting an overly ambitious or impossible task.
bring to the table: to offer skills, ideas, or resources in a discussion or negotiation.
business case: a justification for a proposed project or undertaking based on its expected benefits.
change agent: a person or thing that drives or facilitates change within an organization.
circle back: to revisit or follow up on a previous conversation or topic.
core competencies: a set of skills or strengths that are fundamental to an organization’s success.
core values: fundamental beliefs or guiding principles that dictate behavior and action within an organization.
corporate ladder: the hierarchical structure of positions in a company, typically indicating a path for career advancement.
customer-centric: a business approach that prioritizes the needs and satisfaction of customers.
data-driven decision-making: making decisions based on data analysis and interpretation rather than intuition.
deep dive: an in-depth examination or analysis of a specific topic or issue.
deliverable: a required output or product from a project.
disrupt: to radically change an industry or market by introducing a groundbreaking product or service.
drill down: in-depth analysis.
ducks in a row (US): ensuring everything is organized and prepared.
ecosystem: the network of organizations, individuals, and resources involved in a particular business or industry.
future-proofing: the process of anticipating future developments and changes to ensure that a product, system, or strategy remains effective and relevant over time
game changer: an event, idea, or procedure that significantly alters an existing situation or activity.
game plan: a strategic plan or approach for achieving a goal.
going forward: from this point onward; in the future.
granular: detailed and precise; breaking information down into small components.
hard stop: a firm, non-negotiable end time.
herding cats (US): Managing or coordinating a group that is difficult to control or organize.
holistic approach: considering all aspects of a situation or system as a whole rather than individually.
keep me in the loop: ensure someone is kept informed and updated on progress.
let’s park that: To postpone or set aside a topic or issue for future discussion.
leverage: to use something to maximum advantage.
low-hanging fruit: easy and achievable tasks or goals that can provide quick wins.
mission-critical: essential to the operation or success of a business or project.
move the needle (UK): to make a noticeable impact or progress.
on the same page: having a shared understanding or agreement on a particular topic.
operational excellence: the execution of business strategies more consistently and reliably than the competition.
think outside the box: creative thinking that is not limited by traditional norms or conventions.
one-on-one: a direct, individual meeting between two people for focused discussion.
pain point: a specific problem or issue that a business or customer faces.
paradigm shift: a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.
ping: to send a quick, often informal message or reminder, typically via electronic communication.
pivot: to change direction or strategy.
push the envelope: to go beyond the usual limits or boundaries.
put out a fire. quickly resolve a sudden problem or crisis.
quick wins: easy or fast successes that can provide early positive results.
reach out to: to get into contact with somebody.
robust: strong and effective in all conditions or situations.
run it up the flagpole (US): to propose an idea to see how it is received.
run the numbers: perform calculations or analyze financial data.
scalability: the ability of a system or organization to grow and manage increased demand.
scalable solution: a solution that can be expanded or adapted to accommodate growth.
silos: divisions within an organization that operates independently and often lead to a lack of communication or collaboration.
slide deck: a collection of PowerPoint presentation slides.
stakeholder buy-in: gaining the support and agreement of all parties involved in a project or initiative.
stakeholder engagement: the process of involving individuals or groups who have an interest in the outcomes of a project.
stand-up. short daily meeting to align with other team members
synergy: the combined effect that is greater than the sum of individual efforts.
take offline: discuss privately or outside the main group or meeting.
top-down: an approach where decisions and directives come from higher management.
touchpoint: any point of interaction between a business and its customers.
touch base: make brief contact to check in or update.
throw someone under the bus: sacrifice someone else to protect oneself or gain an advantage.
upskill: to learn new skills or improve existing ones, often to adapt to new technologies or processes.
value added: additional benefits or improvements provided beyond the basic product or service.
win-win situation: a scenario where all parties benefit or gain something positive.