Projectile Jargon

Ah, jargon! That delightful smörgåsbord of buzzwords and catchphrases, a veritable cornucopia of babbelfish-syllables in the linguistic playground where “synergy” and “paradigm shifts” dance like nobody’s watching - except Bob, who always seems to be lurking, ready to circle back and touch base about your bandwidth. Welcome to the world of thinking outside the box in hopes to move the needle which oddly requires a SWOT instead of a thimble. But on that, I’ll bite my thumb.

Beware, dear leader, for this lexicon of the liminal is a slippery slope to boiling the frog. So buckle up, buttercup, and prepare to navigate the treacherous terrain of workplace jargon, where the only thing more terrifying than a “blue sky thinking” is the sudden realization that you’ve not yet seen a blue sky today. Apologies, that’s no doubt orthogonal, there’s no need to deep dive into a rat hole, when we’ve hardly feasted on the low-hanging fruit.

Prefer the RTO in IRL? If serendipitous encounters and watercooler moments are your cup-of-tea, we’ll be hosting idea generation team-building event at the local rock climbing gym this Saturday; because nothing says interlocking synergies like clinging to a rock, while your manager reminds you to leverage your core competencies to elevate and actionable steps.

For everyone else:

Well, looks like we’ve got ourselves a reader!

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Jargon and its not-so-modest origins

Subjectivity, personal taste, & context

Is jargon subjective? On the polarity between empowerment and cringeworthy, is the human experience inherently personal? Presumeably, what makes one person’s skin crawl might be another’s power phrase. Ultimately, context matters. Even the most innocuous word become all the more grating when overused, used incorrectly, or worse: in place of actual meaning.

The purpose of jargon

• Efficiency (Sometimes): Jargon can be a shortcut, conveying a complex idea quickly to those familiar with it. Mostly positive?
• In-Group Signaling: Using jargon can create a sense of belonging within a group or organization (innocous) but may have a dark side. ^†
• Obfuscation: Sometimes, jargon is used to deliberately obscure meaning, avoid responsibility, or create the impression that something is more impressive than the ideas being conveyed otherwise warrant.

This is where we veer into “bullshit” territory.

† Jargon as etiquette. Do you mind your manners?

The use of jargon for in-group signaling and obfuscation can be compared to the origins of etiquette. Manners, often traced to European aristocracy, involved complex social rules that distinguished the elite from lower classes. These rules, primarily conveyed through writing, created an exclusive group that marginalized those who couldn’t read, including many enslaved people who lacked access to education. This system reinforced existing social hierarchies and power structures.

Trust your gut

If your alarm bells are ringing, there’s probably a reason. Overuse of jargon, especially when it replaces clear, direct language, can be a sign of poor communication or fuzzy thinking. If in doubt, remember: clear, concise communication doesn’t require boiling the ocean, whereas the “actionable insights from synergistic touchpoints that cascade from blue sky thinking” very well may…

• You don’t need to lean in to make a point.
• You need ideate solutions to think of ideas.
• You don’t need to facilitate dialogue to have a conversation.
• You don’t need to transfer knowledge to teach.

Complex ideas can be explained simply.

The goal is to illuminate, not intimidate. Clear language isn’t just about being understood—it’s about respecting your audience’s time and intelligence.

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The dark side of jargon

From efficient, to innoccous, to grating - let’s follow the slippery slope down the proverbial Slip ‘N Slide® to its culmination: a very real, undoubtedly pernicious, negative feedback loop. Here’s how this negative feedback loop plays out:

Insecurity and the Desire to Impress

Individuals who feel insecure or unsure of themselves may gravitate towards jargon as a way to project confidence or competence. Using buzzwords can create an illusion of knowledge or sophistication.

Obfuscation as a Shield

When someone doesn’t actually know what to do or how to solve a problem, jargon becomes a convenient smokescreen. It allows them to appear engaged and involved without actually committing to a course of action.

In-Group Signaling and Validation

Using jargon becomes a way to signal belonging within a group. Those who use the “in” language are perceived as being “in the know,” further reinforcing the behavior.

The Loop Takes Hold

This creates a dangerous cycle where those who are most unsure and those who are bluffing the most become the most likely to overuse jargon. This leads to a culture where real communication and problem-solving suffer.

Consequences

Poor Decision-Making:

When clarity is replaced with buzzwords, it becomes difficult to identify and address real issues.

Erosion of Trust

People eventually see through the facade, leading to a loss of trust in leadership and within teams.

Stifled Innovation

A culture that values jargon over substance discourages creativity and critical thinking.

Superficial Connections

When communication is focused on impressing others rather than conveying meaning, it can hinder genuine connection and understanding.

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The curious role of validation and insecurity

The simple scenario: validation, insecurity

• Seeking External Affirmation

  People who rely on jargon to impress or fit in are often seeking external validation. They want to be seen as knowledgeable, competent, and part of the “in-group.”

• Masking Insecurity

  Jargon can be used to mask underlying insecurities or a lack of confidence. By using impressive-sounding words, individuals may hope to compensate for feelings of inadequacy.

• Performance vs. Authenticity

  Overuse of jargon can be a form of “performing” rather than communicating authentically. It’s about creating a desired impression rather than genuinely connecting with others.

• Fear of Judgment

  People who are insecure may fear being judged or rejected if they don’t use the “right” language. This can lead them to adopt jargon as a form of self-protection.

• Need for Belonging

  The desire to fit in and be accepted is a fundamental human need. In a workplace where jargon is prevalent, using it can feel like a necessary step to gain acceptance and avoid being ostracized.

• Dependence on External Approval

  Constantly seeking validation from others can create a sense of dependence and prevent individuals from developing their own internal sense of self-worth.

• Missed Opportunities for Growth

  Relying on jargon to mask insecurities can prevent people from acknowledging and addressing their areas for development.

The complex case: projection, control

It seems paradoxical...

There’s often a strong correlation between those who overuse corporate jargon for validation and their tendency to judge others for seeking validation. It seems paradoxical, but it’s a common human behavior with roots in psychology.

Here’s how this dynamic plays out:

• Projection

  People who are insecure or heavily reliant on external validation often project their own insecurities onto others. They may be hyper-aware of validation-seeking behavior in others because it reflects something they dislike or fear within themselves.

• Distraction

  By focusing on and criticizing the validation-seeking behavior of others, they deflect attention from their own insecurities and need for approval. It’s a way of saying, “Look at them, they’re so needy,” while unconsciously masking their own needs.

• Maintaining a Sense of Superiority

  Judging others can create a sense of superiority or control. By putting others down, they elevate themselves, at least in their own minds. This can be a way to compensate for feelings of inadequacy.

• Justifying Their Own Behavior

  Criticizing others for seeking validation can serve as a way to justify their own reliance on jargon or other approval-seeking behaviors. They might think, “Well, at least I’m not as bad as them.”

• Lack of Self-Awareness

  This dynamic often stems from a lack of self-awareness. Individuals may not be fully conscious of their own insecurities and the ways in which they seek validation. This lack of awareness can lead to judgmental attitudes toward others who exhibit similar behaviors.

Am I critical of others for seeking validation?

Recognizing this tendency for projection and judgment i crucial for growth. Ask yourself: Am I critical of others for seeking validation? If so, why? What might this say about my own needs and insecurities?

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Solutions

Solutions that will probably fail

Promote a culture of clarity

Presumeably, business leaders who value clear, direct communication can set the tone for the entire organization.

Challenge jargon directly

Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification when someone uses a buzzword you don’t understand or that seems out of place. Create an environment where team members feel comfortable asking for clarification when encountering unfamiliar or unnecessary jargon.

Focus on outcomes

Shift focus from impressive-sounding language to achieving and clearly communicating tangible outcomes.

Value substance

Recognize and reward team members who contribute meaningful ideas and solutions, regardless of their use of trendy business terminology.

Why those simple solutions fail

While these approaches are based on sound principles, they fall short of addressing the human element: intangibles, psychology, incentives.

Solving for the problem requires

• Identifying the origins and root causes
• Recognizing existing power dynamics
• Navigating those dynamics effectively and with intent
• Account for asymetric access to information
• Provide for humans behaving irrationally
• Establishing new and durable incentives

The human element, explored

• Ego and Image

  People invested in appearing knowledgeable or powerful might resist anything that undermines that image.

• Entrenched Habits

  If jargon has become deeply ingrained in the workplace culture, change will take time and effort. Change is hard. Some may cling to old habits simply because they’re comfortable.

• Power Dynamics

  If the people using jargon are in positions of authority, challenging them could be perceived as insubordination.

Solutions that might succeed

• Self-awareness

  mindfull of one’s motivations and potentialed biases. Words matter. Ask yourself: Why am I using this word? What am I hoping to achieve. If driven by frustration, or a desire to win: step aside, lather, rinse, consider gazing at your navel, then doRepeat

• Seek diverse input

  Verify trusted colleagues feel similarly (or not). Invite contrarian opinions openly to the echo chamber’s pull to confirmation bias.

• Be curious

  Ask questions you genuinely w̶a̶n̶t̶ need the answer to:

Example

• I’m not sure I understand what ‘activate’ means in this context. Could you clarify the specific actions we need to take?”

Example

• To make sure we’re all on the same page, could we rephrase this using more concrete language?

Lead by example

Consistently model clear, concise communication in your own writing and speaking producing subtle influence over time. Choose authenticity and honesty over impression management. Again, model the kind of communication you’d like to see; use clear, direct language, and avoid unnecessary jargon.

Build confidence, be vulnerable

This applies to yourself, and your ability to build confidence in others. Look to learn or teach skills that increase confidence, and reduce reliance on external validation. Create a safe space where people can express themselves without fear of judgment.

Inject levity

disarming moments for humor and lighthearted silliness.