Buzzwords: Sayings We Love to Hate
By Vicki Wrona, PMP:
Let’s have a little fun with this post. I was talking to someone recently and the topic of clichés and business buzzwords came up. I don’t know about you, but there are certain people I work with that I have to think hard about what they are really trying to say because of the rare or odd phrases they use. I get “lost in translation” and it really slows down my ability to react to what they are saying and to provide what they really want.
Yes, we all use these buzzwords, and we all certainly have phrases we personally prefer and those we wish we never heard again. How about we have some fun this month and share our top 3 faves and annoyances?
Here are phrases I like and those I don’t:
Thumbs Up:
- Really? I just love the commercial with this phrase. It’s funny and makes a point.
- Bring me solutions, not just problems – I wish more people would do this automatically.
- Paradigm shift – like the phrase a new normal, it paints a vivid picture in my mind.
- How’s that workin’ for ya? – when used correctly, it is a humorous way to make a point.
Thumbs down:
- Hit by a mack truck – I have replaced this phrase with won the lottery. It’s less gruesome, more optimistic.
- Truthfully – Does that mean everything else they say to me is not truthful?
- Touch base – while this isn’t too bad, I try to replace this with follow-up or meet again.
- Run it up the flagpole – since when is an org chart a flagpole?
- Out of the box – too overused
I had a hard time narrowing these lists to three.
What do you think? Let us know your top 3 thumbs up and thumbs down sayings.
