I have just past 1.5 years with my current company after relocating after a layoff from the previous job I had for the better part of 20 years … and I knew I was truly ‘home’ a few weeks ago when I used some of the homespun jargon naturally without thought. Every company regardless of size or industry has its own set of jargon and habits, and a study by Opinium Research reported by Reuters finds the stuff most folks find annoying.
Here are the workplace habits:
1. Grumpy or moody colleagues (37 percent)
2. Slow computers (36)
3. Small talk/gossip in the office (19)
4. The use of office jargon or management-speak (18)
5. People speaking loudly on the phone (18)
6. Too much health and safety in the work place (16)
7. Poor toilet etiquette (16
8. People not turning up for meetings on time or at all (16)
9. People not tidying up after themselves in the kitchen (15)
10.Too cold/ cold air conditioning (15)
I can agree to many of these, particularly #7, having seen someone not wash their hands and then being in a meeting with them minutes later where everyone is introducing themselves and shaking hands.
And here is the most annoying jargon:
1. Thinking outside the box (21 percent)
2. Let’s touch base (20)
3. Blue sky thinking (19)
4. Blamestorming (16) (sitting down and working out whose fault something is)
5. Drill down to a more granular level (15) (Look into something in more detail)
6. Let’s not throw pies in the dark (15) (we need a plan rather than a haphazard approach)
7. I’ve got that on my radar (13)
8. Push the envelope (12)
9. Bring your A-game (11) (Be ready to do something to best of ability)
10. Get all your ducks in a row (11)
So let’s all step up to the plate and wrap our heads around how to monetize our synergies … and keep me in the loop when you do!
Source: Reuters