If you have worked in large corporations, bureaucracies, and similar workplaces, or currently work at one, you may have heard a few commonly used words and phrases that have slightly (or completely) altered their original meanings when utilized in a corporate setting. Those are the so-called corporate buzzwords, also known as workplace jargon, business jargon, or corporate lingo. If not at your current workplace, it’s very likely that you have seen corporate jargon phrases, such as “work hard, play hard,” “fast-paced environment,” and “rockstar” being used in job listings to attract new talents to the team.
Interestingly, those company buzzwords seem to work as, according to a recent survey, 7 in 10 applicants said trendy language influenced their decision to apply for a job listing. After all, who wouldn’t want to be referred to as a rockstar or get rewarded for all the hard work they’ve put in? It sounds appealing; hence no wonder many take the bait. However, very few companies actually seem to fulfill their promises. Thus, the many trendy office buzzwords have eventually gained negative connotations and started being seen as “red flags” in job listings.
However, while certain buzzwords for business indeed refer to false or ultimately unfulfilled claims, some merely gain the status of annoying corporate buzzwords due to their constant overuse and often misinterpretation. In fact, 1 in 5 employees dislikes corporate jargon. Regardless, many still agree that using corporate lingo phrases makes someone look more professional, hence their prevalent use in the workplace.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of buzzwords commonly used in the corporate world. Whether you want to upgrade your office lingo and impress your coworkers or learn the covert “red flags” used in job listings, the list below might just do the trick. What’s your relationship with popular buzzwords? Do you agree with their meanings? Have you ever refused to apply for a job that used a specific corporate buzzword in its listing? What was it? Let us know!
#21
"I think my idea solves the problem"
Meaning: It's your boss's idea; thus, it's the only right idea.
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#22
Empower
Meaning: Higher-ups frequently deploy it to ask the employee to work harder, although the employee may find it condescending.
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#23
Drinking the Kool-Aid
Meaning: Blindly pursuing the cause.
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#24
"You’ll be able to focus on a critical area for us"
Meaning: You're getting demoted.
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#25
Mission critical
Meaning: You better only focus on this and nothing else.
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#26
"Who’s budget is this coming out of?"
Meaning: You've already lost the debate.
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#27
New Normal
Meaning: It's not normal, just an unpleasant new reality.
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#28
Competitive salary
Meaning: Salary that is not competitive at all. Just a vague estimate of an employee's anticipated pay.
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#29
Giving 110%
Meaning: You work hard, but must work even harder.
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Report13points
#30
"Work hard, play hard"
Meaning: You only get to experience the first part of the phrase.
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#31
Ecosystem
Meaning: A fancy term for "working together."
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#32
"Start building consensus"
Meaning: One of your coworkers complained that you didn't include them in your ideas.
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#33
"Put out some feelers"
Meaning: We are not prepared to take any kind of action yet are curious to learn more.
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#34
Human capital
Meaning: Term used to refer to the company's employees.
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#35
Killing it
Meaning: Doing great work. Or, literally, harming one's mental and physical health by giving your all into a job.
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#36
Leverage synergies
Meaning: Following the merger, there will be downsizing.
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#37
Rockstar
Meaning: The term frequently employed in job postings that call for repetitive, meticulous work.
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#38
The enterprise
Meaning: A risky project or undertaking that will require you to grow some balls.
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#39
"Make it disruptive!"
Meaning: This better be big and make us money ASAP.
unknown
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#40
"Give you a heads up"
Meaning: Your coworker will tip you about something big and nasty.
unknown
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