Big organisational ‘fluffy jargon’, buzzwords and euphemisms have become staples in many large organisations. It can infiltrate meetings, emails, and casual conversations with phrases that often prioritise style over substance.
While these buzzwords and euphemisms may sound polished or strategic to some, they frequently erode sincerity, authenticity, and quality communication within teams. Instead of fostering sincerity, clarity and connection, this language creates barriers—turning meaningful dialogue into a game of decoding ever more clichés and vague corporate-speak.
Phrases like “Let’s unpack that” or “We’re on a journey” may seem harmless, but they often dilute clarity and accountability and mask real challenges behind layers of abstraction. Team members are left deciphering indirect messages rather than engaging in open, honest conversations. Overused expressions such as “moving the needle” or “we need to pivot” become empty placeholders, signalling a lack of original thought and genuine engagement.
This reliance on corporate jargon fosters a culture where buzzwords take precedence over clear, actionable ideas, ultimately stifling innovation and trust. When authenticity is replaced with rehearsed, predictable phrases, employees may feel disengaged, undervalued, and uncertain about their role in achieving meaningful outcomes.
The following list playfully highlights some of the most overused, cringeworthy terms and phrases that have taken root in big organisational culture—words and expressions that, when overused, can do more harm than good.
Classic Cringe HR, Coach and L&D Phrase Bingo: Use the list to tick off how many you can hear in the course of a week at work :)
"What I’m hearing is..."
"Let’s circle back on that."
"At the end of the day..."
"Let’s take this offline."
"Moving forward."
"Let’s put a pin in it."
"We need to pivot."
"Think outside the box."
"What’s the take-away here?."
"Let's touch base."
"Take it to the next level."
"Let's align on this."
"Move the needle."
"Let's double-click on that."
"Reach out."
"Just some food for thought."
"The ball is in your court."
"Let's not boil the ocean."
"Can you give 110%?"
"That’s a great learning opportunity."
And of course, some of the overused euphemisms:
"Let’s unpack that."
"It’s all part of the journey."
"This is an opportunity for growth."
"We’re facing some headwinds."
"Let's reframe the conversation."
"It’s a teachable moment."
"We need to manage expectations."
"Let’s create some white space."
"We’re on a transformation journey."
"Let's explore that idea."
"It's a marathon, not a sprint
"We’re building the plane while flying it."
"We need to be agile."
"Let's take a step back
"We’re all on the same page, right?"
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