Corporate speak

I find it confusing, misleading, distracting and condescending.  And I’ve been known to use it with fervor.

Sometimes you need to play the game.  I’ve used “navigate” to refer to relationships, project management databases, sailing and office politics.  Depending on the audience, I’ll acknowledge how foreign the word or phrase felt on my tongue; this makes me more human and can work to my benefit.  Again, depending on the audience.

Learn the corporate speak in your office, make a terminology sheet if you have to, and use it carefully and appropriately. I’ve gone to more than one mentor to ask about a phrase or word – “everyone keeps talking about ‘over the wall.’  What the heck is this and how and when do I use it?”

Corporate speak often includes acronyms.  A lot of acronyms.  Ask if someone has made an acronym cheat sheet.  I bet it exists.  Everyone finds them confusing and no one wants to look like a dope.