Know Exactly What a Buzzword Means Before Using It

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

We probably all know that a buzzword is a word or phrase that has become fashionable by being used a lot, especially in the media. An example of a buzzword is “quiet quitting”, which I’m seeing in the news again and honestly, I’m not really sure why. But that’s not the point of today’s article. 

Quiet quitting is a great example of a buzzword that people use but they don’t always completely understand what it means. So, they often use it the wrong context, which can create challenges in the workplace. I came across a press release from McLean & Company talking about buzzwords and the impact they can have when used incorrectly. 

I get it. We all want to sound cool and know all the latest cool words and phrases. But when we use buzzwords incorrectly, we’re creating communication challenges. Especially when we use a buzzword in proposing a solution to a problem. For instance, if someone says in a meeting, “I know exactly what we need to do to fix our ‘grumpy staying’ problem.” Does everyone know what “grumpy staying” means? If they don’t, are they going to speak up? 

McLean’s press release reminded me of the business literacy conversation we’ve had in the past. It can be very tempting to share an article on social media because everyone else is sharing it. But do we know if it’s accurate? Viral does not necessarily mean true. Maybe we need to apply the same business literacy philosophy to buzzwords.

When we hear a buzzword, do the homework to find out what it means. Often buzzwords represent situations. For example, there’s a term called “quiet firing” or “soft firing” that’s defined as when an employer starts to make an employee’s job unpleasant hoping they’ll get the hint and quit. I’m not a lawyer but I could see how It could be considered very similar to the U.S. Department of Labor’s definition of “constructive discharge”. 

Decide if you want to use the term. There’s no rule that says you have to use the latest buzzwords. In fact, there could be buzzwords you want to intentionally avoid. Personally, I’m not a fan of “quiet firing” or “soft firing”. If the employer has an employee situation they need to handle … well, handle it. Making an employee miserable so they quit is just petty. Plus, all the other employees will see it, making the work environment even worse. 

Figure out how to ask for definition. Everyone will have to find their own way of saying this, but when someone else uses a buzzword, find a way to ask them to define it. Maybe say, “Hey for everyone’s benefit, can you tell us what ‘lazy girl jobs’ means?” I guarantee that someone in the room is relieved that they don’t have to tell anyone that they didn’t know the definition. 

Many organizations are going into planning and budgeting season. It might be very tempting to use buzzwords to pitch goals and present solutions to sound like the organization is very modern. If the organization isn’t on the same page about what these words mean, they could be approving resources (i.e., money, headcount, equipment, etc.) to solve something that they know nothing about. That’s a very expensive way to learn what “AI-First Mindset” and/or “quiet cutting” means. 

I’m not saying that buzzwords aren’t important. Business buzzwords like quick win, holistic, and touchpoint could be very valuable in conveying a message. But even with these words and terms, knowing what they mean and the right way to use them showcases your strong communication skills.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the Wynwood Art District in Miami, FL

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