Every specialty has its own vocabulary. If you’re a wine connoisseur, words like astringency, bouquet, nose, tannins, and vintage will be second nature to you. If you’re into observing and studying birds, you already know (as I’ve just learned) that there’s not only a vast vocabulary for discussing and describing birds in general, but also a subset of words specific to different kinds of birds. There’s a vocabulary for hummingbirds, owls, penguins, and even vultures. Interesting!
The same is true in the workplace—and I’m not just talking about vultures here! The business world is chock full of jargon in the form of words and phrases that sound like they mean something, but what they mean exactly isn’t a sure thing. Consider phrases like think outside the box, ducks in a row, keep in the loop, and run it up the flagpole. And there’s my favorite low-hanging fruit, which is something bosses want to be sure you’ve gotten before they allocate more budget and resources.
But unlike the terminology associated with wine and bird-watching—terminology with precise definitions—some of the jargon that seeps into the business world is vague, overused, and trite. It does a better job of masking meaning than conveying meaning. After all, when your boss directs you to think outside the box, are you clear what’s expected of you? When you’re told to get your ducks in a row, do you know what you’re being asked to do?
The counterargument, I suppose, is that this jargon must mean something, because people use it regularly in their conversations with each other. They may not share an identical understanding of a given jargon phrase, but how often do projects fail because the parties involved attributed conflicting meanings to a given jargon term? Is there really a problem?
Obviously, yes. Communication-related snags occur often enough without adding to the potential for misunderstanding by using terms that are nothing but fluff. And really, if these overused words and phrases enhance effective communication, then why are they often referred to as management gobbledygook? Why are they described as clichés, trite phrases, and lazy time-savers? Why is it so easy to find websites, such as the ones these last two links point to, that list jargon phrases to avoid? And why is buzzword bingo one of the best ways to stay awake through a boring meeting?
When your colleague uses one of these drivel phrases, it might be worth asking for some clarification. Or just do as Dilbert does, and find an interpreter who speaks not just jargon but also weaselese and mumble and can translate for you!
