Is Your Communication Sus?

This summer has been my Intern Era. Having legit Gen Z employees in the workplace, just hits different. No Cap!

Does your early talent Stan for your communication Vibe? You need to Touch Grass on this. I'm not trying to Flex, but IYKYK.

Here's my Hot Take...

Our three summer interns attended a live all-company town hall meeting recently. Afterwards, one of them asked me a question about some of the words that our president and CFO were using. As a diligent Gen X leader and coach, I instantly assumed that these ambitious college students wanted to learn more about the financial terms being mentioned. Without hesitation, I began explaining Free Cash Flow, COGS, and before I could get to EBITA, one of them interrupted, asking, "Not that, what's Lockstep mean and what is a Wheelhouse?"

"Are you talking about 'Corporate Buzzwords'?" I asked, and they all nodded in agreement. Having been fluent in the language of Corporate America for the past two decades, I couldn't help but realize how absurd we must sound when using these terms around individuals who aren't familiar with them. With a bit of a smile, I encouraged them to tell me what they wanted to know. We had an insightful discussion, and it got me thinking about why, as business professionals do we resort to using such jargon.

Here are some of the 'Corporate Buzzwords' that we discussed:

• Bullish - To support, endorse or to be in favor of.
• Inside Baseball - A look behind the scenes. To pull back the curtain.
• Val Prop - Tangible and intangible values of your product or service.
• Net/Net - The bottom-line. Summary of a lengthy event or story.
• Peanut Butter - Even distribution of anything without much consideration.
• Table Stakes?- The minimum resources needed to enter a market.
• Kick the Can - Putting off of or delay work, issue, or defect until a later time.
• Operationalize - Execute on an idea/Implement a strategy.
• Out of Pocket/Shield Time - Business related or company travel.
• Feed the Beast - Pursuing a goal for the company or market.

I am glad they felt comfortable enough to ask me about these terms. It turned into a fun conversation, and it made me more self-aware of the phrases I use. I began to wonder if I am being understood when coaching or giving directions to my staff, especially the younger ones. Moreover, I thought that when you don’t understand what’s being said, it can make you feel like an outsider or uninformed. Let's face it, when everyone around you is speaking in terms you don't understand, it can be just plain annoying.

Currently, Millennials hold the largest share of the US Workforce, accounting for approximately 35%-40%. However, the spotlight is shifting to Gen Z! Sorry Millennials, the future is theirs!

Presently, Generation Z represents around 5%-7% of the US Labor Market, but, according to U.S. Census projections, this figure could surge significantly, potentially reaching nearly 30%-35% by the year 2030. Of course, the exact growth percentage will depend on various factors, but even these estimates underscore the importance of embracing and empowering Gen Z to assure their success.

This experience opened my eyes to the jargon and acronyms that I use all too frequently in business conversations. Going forward, I am making a conscious effort to use clearer language and minimize corporate slang.

It won't be easy, but I'm determined to improve. While I may never be perfect, if I can get a little better each day, I believe it will make a difference. I encourage you to do the same. Using plain language fosters a more welcoming environment for our younger employees, helping them acclimate quicker, accelerate their learning curve, and achieve success more rapidly.

My interns even shared a little Gex Z slang with me, which of course I had to include in this article.??

What Corporate Buzzwords or Phrases do you use?

Is there any 'Work Jargon' you would add to my list?

PLEASE 'CLAP BACK' IN THE COMMENTS!