Episode: 820

Episode Title: Tips for Productive Jargon

How can we make workplace jargon inclusive rather than exclusive? Here are some easy strategies, next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 820 show:

Hello and welcome to The Perna Syndicate today! If we’re being realistic, we need to admit it’s unlikely that we will ever eradicate jargon from the workplace entirely. But simple awareness of the downsides of such jargon can help us use more accessible language. 

As humans, we’re prone to unconscious bias against those who speak ‘differently’ from ourselves. This can lead to exclusionary behaviors and even discrimination in the workplace.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, we can all take two actions to make workplace jargon a tool of inclusion rather than exclusion.

First, we can ask what jargon means when we don’t understand it. Lots of people find workplace jargon confusing, so don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions. Our co-workers are the best resource to pick up workplace jargon. 

Secondly, we can all pay more attention to the jargon we may be falling into and ask ourselves if everyone listening can understand it. Not all professionals come from the same background. Being mindful of this simple fact can help workers at all levels to feel included.

After all, the goal of communication is to understand and to be understood. If jargon gets in the way of that goal, it’s time to reevaluate both how and why we’re using it.

Thank you for tuning in this week! I hope you have a fresh perspective on workplace jargon and how it can help or hurt us at work. I’m Mark Perna and I’ll see you back here next week for more on The Perna Syndicate!