Tag: workplace communication

Say what? : Jargon in the workplace

Linda

“What’s our North Star?”
“I’ll socialise it with the team”
“Grip it up”

Do any of these phrases sound familiar?

Perhaps you are guilty of using them?

Do they make you want to do this when you hear them?

via GIPHY

A quick ask around as to the most disliked corporate speak people encounter in their workplaces  revealed the above examples are all alive and well and being used regularly in Wellington workplaces.

They are vague, ambiguous and serve to confuse, irritate, or even alienate people, with one worker I spoke to, saying “After years of hearing ‘management speak’ I seem to go into automatic switch-off mode as soon as anyone above my level starts to talk…” 

Not the desired effect for a manager wishing to appear on trend by dropping some newly acquired buzzwords into the meeting! 

A recently released report surveyed workers in eight countries about terms and phrases used in their workplaces that they disliked and understood least.

The results differed between countries and cultures with Asian and Latin American countries finding acronyms like EOD (End of Day) and KPI (Key Performance Indicator) amongst the most confusing business speak whereas English speaking nations found it hard to understand expressions such as “Ducks in a row” or “Herding cats”. 

via GIPHY

Aotearoa was not part of the survey although our trans-Tasman neighbour contributed a colourful list of confounding business speak with the top five being :

1. Boiling the ocean  
2. Noodling
3. Low-hanging fruit
4. Juice worth the squeeze
5. Wheelhouse 

Whatever you call it – jargon – or management/corporate/business speak – in the workplace makes communication difficult for many people, and is even more confusing for those for whom English is not their first language.

When it comes to acronyms this becomes more complicated when the same, or similar, acronyms have quite different meanings in different contexts.

What is workplace jargon?  This definition sums it up :

Corporate jargon is essentially workplace language, and is used to describe a set of words, phrases, or acronyms used in a business or corporate setup. These can be difficult to understand for people new to the environment… Jargon is deeply rooted in the corporate culture. These words or phrases or acronyms stay in use for such a long time that they become part of the vocabulary. 

However, by becoming part of the workplace vocabulary these words and phrases are often never translated for new hires, leading to confusion and a possible feeling of isolation.

While some jargon is unique to a workplace or industry and used to convey ideas particular to that environment there are those in workplaces who adopt jargon in order to sound more knowledgeable or appear “in the know”.  But as Lisa notes ….

via GIPHY

As the survey results show, the use (and overuse) of management speak serves to confuse and complicate workplace communication in turn potentially hindering productivity.

Jargon can be used verbally in meetings or in written communication (emails).  It can also be used excessively in other forms of communication such as in reports or on websites and, as a way of addressing this, the Plain Language Act came into being in 2022.

The Act’s purpose, while aimed at Government agencies, sets a standard all workplaces can follow :

The purpose of this Act is to improve the effectiveness and accountability of public service agencies and Crown agents, and to improve the accessibility of certain documents that they make available to the public, by providing for those documents to use language that is—

(a) appropriate to the intended audience; and

(b) clear, concise, and well organised.

Workplaces operate more effectively when communication is clear, so to help we’ve pulled together some resources to help you cut through the jargon and choose words more intentionally instead of peppering conversation with an alphabet soup of buzzwords and phrases.  

To start here’s a couple of listings to help identify and demystify some commonly used office speak terms:

45 Examples of Business Jargon Terms and Phrases

Top 50 Corporate Jargon to Help You Survive High-Level Meetings

This article give some examples of what to say instead of the obfuscating terms.

Linkedin Learning has short videos on jargon as part of lengthier courses on writing in plain English.
Login using your library registration card and password and type “Jargon” into the search box.

Lost in translation: The joy of a jargon-free world
TED talk
When was the last time you optimized something? Perhaps you’ve been engaging proactively? Are you strategically evolving a market in real-time? Any idea what any of that means? Thea Knight is on a crusade to kill the jargon that is strangling our conversations. She explains how we can be more “intentional” about our words – so we can start to actually say things again.

Does Your Office Have a Jargon Problem?
Zachariah C. Brown, Eric M. Anicich, and  Adam D. Galinsky
March 19, 2021, Harvard Business Review online
While most people find jargon (not to be confused with slang) to be annoying, it remains a staple of the modern workplace. It does have its uses — for example, air traffic controllers use the phonetic alphabet for clarity and accuracy. But, according to the authors’ research, jargon can also result from insecurity and a desire for professional status. If you’re concerned about the potential negative effects of jargon on you or your organization, there are four steps you can take to mitigate them. First, be aware of context to know whether jargon might be helping or hurting you. Second, ask yourself if there’s a simpler way to communicate the same idea or if the audience commonly uses the same jargon. Third, use executive communications that use clear and unambiguous language to set the tone for the organization. Finally, send a message by letting others know why you or your organization don’t espouse excessive jargon.

Who touched base in my thought shower? : a treasury of unbearable office jargon / Poole, Steven
“A hilarious compendium, for fans of The Office and Eats, Shoots and Leaves, that rails against something that drives us all utterly mad: office jargon.” (Catalogue)
 
 
 
 
 
A straightforward guide to writing good plain English : improve your written English / Corder, Nicholas
“Written in concise, accessible sections, this good-humoured book explains clearly the essentials of writing good, plain English. Corder takes readers through the entire writing process – from initial idea, through planning, writing, revising and proofreading to the eventual presentation of a piece of writing. At the end of the book, there is also an easy guide to basic grammar and punctuation as well as self-test exercises.” (Catalogue)
Available as EBook Libby
 
 

The plain English approach to business writing / Bailey, Edward P
“Entertaining and down-to-earth, The Plain English Approach to Business Writing shows busy professionals of all backgrounds–corporate, government, financial, legal–how to write clearly and effectively. It can be read in an hour, and used for the rest of one’s life.” (Catalogue)

 

 

How to use power phrases to say what you mean, mean what you say, and get what you want / Runion, Meryl
“Easy-to-master techniques for more effective communications in all areas of life In this breakthrough guide, communication guru Meryl Runion explains why effective communication is more than just a business tool. It is also the key to happier, healthier relationships, and greater personal fulfillment and business success. In How to Use Power Phrases to Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say, & Get What You Want she introduces readers to the concept of power phrases–short, focused expressions that let people be direct and to the point without seeming brusque or nasty. In clear, down-to-earth language, illustrated with numerous vignettes and real-world examples, Runion teaches readers how to: Say what needs to be said without fear of misinterpretation or creating negative emotional responses Master six basic methods for crafting power phrases for any setting and every social, professional, or interpersonal situation” (Catalogue)

It’s the way you say it : becoming articulate, well-spoken and clear / Fleming, Carol A
“The best, most direct way to convey your intelligence, expertise, professionalism, and personality to other people is through talking to them. But most people have no idea what they sound like. And even if they do, they don’t think they can change it. It’s the Way You Say It is a thorough, nuts-and-bolts guide to becoming aware and taking control of how you communicate with others.” (Catalogue)

 

Crystal clear communication : skills for understanding and being understood / Cole, Kris
“Management consultant Kris Cole outlines the importance of good communication and gives easy tips on how to understand and take charge of your new communications to become successful in everyday life. This new edition includes a new chapter on email communication and the impact that this technology has had on everyday communication.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Business communication : deliver your message with clarity and efficiency / LoCicero, Joe
“When mastered effectively, the art of business communication can build a lucrative, impressive, and respected company beyond imagination. A company that embraces solid communication saves and makes time and money–the two hottest commodities in the business world. In Streetwise Business Communications, communications expert Joe LoCicero answers your questions about communicating with clients and staff, dealing with technology and choosing the right medium. Streetwise Business Communications is the complete reference for all small business owners who struggle to come up with a clear and concise message, and the means with which to communicate that message. You too can communicate a message, retain, and win new business–even compete with the big boys. All you need is the proper the tools to speak, write, organize, and present their message effectively. Streetwise Business Communications will arm you with those tools!Includes crucial advice on: Good grammar and correct spellings of commonly misspelled words Proper phone and email etiquette Well-organized letters, memos, and e-mails Presentation skills In all its formats, communication must constantly, continually, and cleverly work to get–and keep–business. No matter the size of your business, Streetwise Business Communications will keep you and your company in contact, in command, and in control! ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

If you would like more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Leading effective meetings

Linda

Has anyone ever said, ‘I wish I could go to more meetings today’?
Matt Mullenweg*

*(Source : https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/meetings-quotes)

Most of us, at some point in our working lives, will have been subjected to a meeting that gets hijacked by someone with a sense of their own importance, a meeting that disintegrates into disagreement, or one that just lacks clear focus.

The end result often leaves attendees feeling stressed and/or frustrated.

Meetings though, are a necessity of the workplace and when run well, can be effective and productive with everyone leaving with a feeling of purpose and a clear direction.

While online meetings can be efficient, reducing the need to travel for instance, after several years of these many people now appreciate the opportunity to get together in the physical presence of others. Hybrid meetings though, pose their own challenges, such as making sure all participants are engaged and have opportunity to speak up.

Whatever the meeting style – the question remains – how to make them effective?  Do you need to attend every meeting?  How do you make sure everyone with something valid to say is successfully included?    Should you take minutes?  Set an agenda?

For some guidance on how to get the most out of your meetings check out the Wellington City Libraries resources below.

 

In his TED talk, How to save the world (or at least yourself) from bad meetings Information Security Manager David Grady suggestions some ways to address the “… epidemic of bad, inefficient, overcrowded meetings [that] is plaguing the world’s businesses — and making workers miserable.”

In another TED talk, Leadership expert Cindy Solomon shares her 5 tips for dealing with meeting overload and advises that The phenomenon of “calendar creep,” where meetings completely take over your work days, is wasting time, energy and productivity — but you can take back control.

HBR Online’s article 4 Distractions that Derail Meetings — and How to Handle Them “… presents four dysfunctional behaviors that cause meetings to derail, as well as what managers need to know to make their team’s meetings more effective, efficient, and productive.”

Do you need to meet or could it be said in an email?  Amanda Woodard’s article outlines why, even though many meetings could be summarised in an email, there is still a place for face to face meetings.

Does your team meet regularly?  David Burkus outlines What To Cover in a Team’s Weekly Meeting

For a more in-depth look at how to improve meetings use your library sign-in to access LinkedIn Learning’ s course Leading Productive Meetings.  In this training “ … productivity expert Dave Crenshaw demonstrates a simple, usable framework that can help you get the most from your meetings—whether in person or virtual—by turning them into productive avenues for communicating, connecting, and accomplishing real work”

If you want to make virtual meetings more effective then Leading Virtual Meetings might be helpful. In this LinkedIn learning course Kevin Eikenberry “…identifies the challenges to holding a productive meeting online, and shares tactics for making these meetings successful”.

Further guidance can be found in some of the many resources in our book collection like these ones below :

How to fix meetings : meet less, focus on outcomes and get stuff done / Allcott, Graham
“Calendar full of meetings that could just be an email? A list of action points but not time to work on completing them? Online and offline, too much valuable time is wasted in meetings. Advisers to some of the world’s leading companies on productivity, Graham Allcott and Hayley Watts provide realistic and practical advice that really makes a difference, showing how to reduce the amount of time you spend in meetings, and ensure that the bones that you do hold and attend are genuine opportunities to collaborate and get things done.” (Catalogue)

Suddenly hybrid : managing the modern meeting / Reed, Karin M.
“Prior to COVID 19, hybrid meetings were relatively rare and consisted of the majority of attendees being in person with perhaps someone “dialing in” (and often forgot about). The hybrid meeting that will likely monopolize the way meetings are conducted from here on out will likely involve a group of people gathered in one conference room, maybe another group of people gathered in a huddle room somewhere else, and a variety of folks showing up in their own individual boxes on screen via their personal webcams. Managing the expectations, participation, and conversation flow for all of these different constituencies will be fraught with challenges but perhaps some opportunities as well for the leader who leans into developing new skills. This book provides some much-needed early insight and guidance into what works and what does NOT when it comes to hybrid meetings…”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Meet with impact : 40 visual tools for productive meetings and engaging workshops / Russell, Tom
“This book is for people who regularly plan and lead meetings. The author explains why this book is important, and why as a meeting leader the reader should use their valuable time to read it”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

 

The surprising science of meetings : how you can lead your team to peak performance / Rogelberg, Steven G
“… In The Surprising Science of Meetings, Steven G. Rogelberg, researcher and consultant to some of the world’s most successful companies, draws from extensive research, analytics and data mining, and survey interviews with over 5,000 employees across a range of industries to share the proven practices and techniques that help managers and employees enhance the quality of their meetings. For those who lead and participate in meetings, Rogelberg provides immediate direction, guidance, and relief, offering a how-to guide to change your working life starting today.”–Amazon.com.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Taking minutes of meetings : how to take efficient notes that make sense and support meetings that matter / Gutmann, Joanna
“Taking Minutes of Meetings guides you through the entire process of minute taking: arranging the meeting; writing the agenda; creating the optimum environment; structuring the meeting and writing notes up accurately. The often misunderstood role of minute-taker is one of the most important and powerful in a meeting, and this book will help you excel at this crucial skill, allowing you to build your career and credibility. Taking Minutes of Meetings is an easy to read ‘dip-in, dip-out’ guide, providing hands-on advice about the sections of a meeting as well as tips on how to create an agenda, personal preparation, best practice advice on taking notes and how to improve your accuracy. Fully updated for 2019, this 5th edition now features even more practical exercises, useful templates, and top tips, as well as guidance on using technology effectively and minutes for different types of meetings.” (Catalogue)

The art of gathering : how we meet and why it matters / Parker, Priya
“We spend our lives gathering – first in classrooms and then in meetings, weddings, conferences and away days. Yet so many of us spend this time in underwhelming moments that fail to engage us, inspire us, or connect us. We’ve all sat in meetings where people talk past each other or go through the motions and others which galvanize a team and remind everyone why they first took the job. We’ve been to weddings that were deeply moving and others that were run-of-the-mill and simply faded away. Why do some moments take off and others fizzle? What’s the difference between the gatherings that inspire you and the ones that don’t? In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker gets to the heart of these questions and reveals how to design a transformative gathering. An expert on organizing successful gatherings whether in conference centres or her living room, Parker shows us how to create moving, magical, mind-changing experiences – even in spaces where we’ve come to expect little.” (Catalogue)  EBook format only.

Talk lean : shorter meetings, quicker results, better relations / Palmer, Alan
“The businessperson’s guide to saying what needs to be said and asking questions that need to be asked In the business world, the first step to great results is good communication.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Death by meeting : a leadership fable about solving the most painful problem in business / Lencioni, Patrick
“In his latest work of business fiction, Patrick Lencioni provides readers with another powerful and thought-provoking book, this one centered on a cure for the most painful yet underestimated problem of modern business: bad meetings. And what he suggests is both simple and revolutionary.” “Casey McDaniel, the founder and CEO of Yip Software, is in the midst of a problem he created, but one he doesn’t know how to solve. And he doesn’t know where or whom to turn to for advice. His staff can’t help him; they’re as dumbfounded as he is by their torturous meetings.” “Then an unlikely advisor, Will Petersen, enters Casey’s world. When he proposes an unconventional, even radical, approach to solving the meeting problem, Casey is just desperate enough to listen.” “As in his other books, Lencioni provides a model, and makes it applicable to the real world. Death by Meeting is a blueprint for leaders who want to eliminate waste and frustration among their teams, and create environments of engagement and passion.”–BOOK JACKET.” (Catalogue)

If you would like further information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.