"Boss Speak" – What Is It Actually Telling You?

Whether it's "idea showers" or "product evangelists", a "cradle to grave approach" or "360 degree thinking", nearly every office around the country will hear some form of boss speak at some point in their day. If you're thinking that no one in your office does it, then I'm afraid that you're probably the guilty party.

Unfortunately it has become a mainstay of the office environment and with the amount of attention it gets it is a wonder it is still used as widely as it is. It is a phenomenon that was sent up beautifully by the David Brent character in The Office, so how do the guilty parties still think it is acceptable to use it, and what are they actually trying to say?

In the workplace good communication is essential. Messages need to be clearly and effective conveyed to staff so that work is carried out efficiently and the language that we use is a huge part of that. The corporate world seems to be ridden with the curse of boss speak more than any other workplace and it is widely and openly despised by staff and undermines the authority of those that use it. There seems to be no better way to undermine a message than to sugar coat it in corporate spin, so why is it so popular?

Historically, people have always used language to enforce their authority or to gain admiration. Those who can captivate people with their voice by telling a story have always been looked up to and with language you have the ability to create a sensation and a feeling with the words you use and the style they are spoken.

This is great if you are writing a novel or producing a monologue, but in the world of business where ideas and messages need to be transmitted clearly and concisely, elaborate corporate speak can seem out of place and inappropriate. At best it makes the user look silly and at worse it makes it look like they are covering up for a lack of knowledge. This is unhelpful in management and it can undermine what could be a crucial process or piece of information. It can also have a de-motivating effect on staff who just want to be spoken to like a human being.

Phrases like "we'd better not let the grass grow too long on this one" and "wouldn't want to wrongside the demographic" might well make amusing reading, but at work there is nothing worse than someone who can't get their point across without relying on the crutch of boss speak. For the sake of motivation, clarity and sanity, let's all make a new years resolution to cut out boss speak for good.

Of course, we all want a good giggle so if you have any suggestions for the worst corporate phrase, please leave us a comment.