Workplace jargon has drained language of nuance, rhythm and meaning. As someone who has struggled with words, I’ve learned to value them too much to let them die like this.
I once had to have a zoom meeting to tell a client I didn’t understand their emails. They struggled to put their empty phrases into sentences with any meaning, still throwing the word ‘ideate’ in there. There is a great George Orwell essay from 1946 called ‘Politics and the English Language' which talks about the replacement of meaning with words - for example ‘collateral damage’ being used for ‘the acceptable killing of innocent people’.
Yes, and yes. Although am I the only one who secretly wants to read “I pissed myself in public, and here are six things it taught me about leadership”?
My kids make fun of me talking to me in the language they here me using in calls. And I’m with you ! I’m trying to reduce the jargon and get more to the point. Let’s do this !!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with Linkedin. We're now in a world where creatives are encouraged and rewarded for performing their trauma in a nicely packaged posts wrapped in that insta-therapy / borderline cult leader language. I’m all for genuine honesty, and showing the not-so-good side of life/work. I think it can be useful to help each other navigate the changing times / industry... but you're absolutely right about language... there’s a formula to composing these type of posts if you want them to get engagement. And you can sense that engagement is the goal, not connecting with others or genuine knowledge sharing.
I don't see you struggling with words here Chris... this is spot on. FWIW (!) coupla thoughts: 1. internet platforms are killing writing. Now it's no longer about how you write, but how you game the algorithm. 2. insecurity is poisoning how we communicate with each other at work: jargon is safer than real sentiments, which might show you up to be seditious or, worse, foolish.
I would be curious to know why people are afraid to use human language on LinkedIn, simple words that say what they mean. Is it fear of being perceived as soft or fear that the algorithms won’t promote their posts? I agree that many people project a certain egoic persona on LinkedIn, trying to impress, prove and appear more successful. Maybe it’s the competitiveness of work that makes us behave that way, I don’t know. Curious what others think about the real rootcause of this behaviour.
Well said. I did get a job through LinkedIn once, years ago. It has its uses, but now there seems to be this competition among users to see who can generate the most noise which is a complete turnoff.
I agree with a lot of what you say. As a designer AND a writer I like to make sure that people understand what I’m saying. Unless I’m consciously doing the opposite to create intrigue and I really only do that in design, not in the written word.
I hate acronyms. Always have done and always have. In fact I don’t even really know what stakeholders means. That’s a relatively new title for a role that’s always existed. As you say, why can’t people just say things plainly? Say what they mean and mean what they say without readers having to Google the meaning of their latest ‘catchy’ acronym?
Do check out the IG account Wankernomics; Christmas cards included “Have a best-in-class, integrated, end-to-end Christmas” and they’ve got a mug featuring the phrase “We’ve totally reimagined what a drinking vessel can be” — really funny stuff
Sin-ergy!
Ooof. Adding that to the all hands.
Great read at EOP after I WFH today. 🔥
LOL
I once had to have a zoom meeting to tell a client I didn’t understand their emails. They struggled to put their empty phrases into sentences with any meaning, still throwing the word ‘ideate’ in there. There is a great George Orwell essay from 1946 called ‘Politics and the English Language' which talks about the replacement of meaning with words - for example ‘collateral damage’ being used for ‘the acceptable killing of innocent people’.
Yes, and yes. Although am I the only one who secretly wants to read “I pissed myself in public, and here are six things it taught me about leadership”?
Nice. It's like the way the American Military use 'friendly fire' to throw a linguistic blanket over a horrendous crime.
"and ask why no one involved can say what they ACTUALLY mean" -✅✅✅✅
My kids make fun of me talking to me in the language they here me using in calls. And I’m with you ! I’m trying to reduce the jargon and get more to the point. Let’s do this !!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with Linkedin. We're now in a world where creatives are encouraged and rewarded for performing their trauma in a nicely packaged posts wrapped in that insta-therapy / borderline cult leader language. I’m all for genuine honesty, and showing the not-so-good side of life/work. I think it can be useful to help each other navigate the changing times / industry... but you're absolutely right about language... there’s a formula to composing these type of posts if you want them to get engagement. And you can sense that engagement is the goal, not connecting with others or genuine knowledge sharing.
I don't see you struggling with words here Chris... this is spot on. FWIW (!) coupla thoughts: 1. internet platforms are killing writing. Now it's no longer about how you write, but how you game the algorithm. 2. insecurity is poisoning how we communicate with each other at work: jargon is safer than real sentiments, which might show you up to be seditious or, worse, foolish.
It's an autistic person's worst nightmare, and yet here I am lol
Great read.
Now lets »divide & conquer«.
🫠
I would be curious to know why people are afraid to use human language on LinkedIn, simple words that say what they mean. Is it fear of being perceived as soft or fear that the algorithms won’t promote their posts? I agree that many people project a certain egoic persona on LinkedIn, trying to impress, prove and appear more successful. Maybe it’s the competitiveness of work that makes us behave that way, I don’t know. Curious what others think about the real rootcause of this behaviour.
Well said. I did get a job through LinkedIn once, years ago. It has its uses, but now there seems to be this competition among users to see who can generate the most noise which is a complete turnoff.
I agree with a lot of what you say. As a designer AND a writer I like to make sure that people understand what I’m saying. Unless I’m consciously doing the opposite to create intrigue and I really only do that in design, not in the written word.
I hate acronyms. Always have done and always have. In fact I don’t even really know what stakeholders means. That’s a relatively new title for a role that’s always existed. As you say, why can’t people just say things plainly? Say what they mean and mean what they say without readers having to Google the meaning of their latest ‘catchy’ acronym?
Do check out the IG account Wankernomics; Christmas cards included “Have a best-in-class, integrated, end-to-end Christmas” and they’ve got a mug featuring the phrase “We’ve totally reimagined what a drinking vessel can be” — really funny stuff
LinkedIn is no longer in my wheelhouse. Inane, prepackaged, reality sucking excuse for connection and meaning.