# Corporate Speak Oh, there's a whole world of people who agree with you — you're in very good company! Here are some great articles that explain why business speak happens and defend talking like a normal human being: 1. "Why Corporate Jargon Is Bad for Business" — NeuroLeadership Institute This one argues that corporate jargon often functions as a status symbol rather than clear communication. When leaders use buzzwords as mental shortcuts, they're not actually giving clear instructions. It directly links jargon to poorer performance and lower engagement. Great ammo for your argument. 🔗 neuroleadership.com 2. "Write In Plain English: Lose The Jargon And Connect With Your Reader" — Forbes A Forbes piece defending plain language in business writing. Makes the case that convoluted corporate-speak alienates readers and that real connection happens when you just talk like a person. 🔗 forbes.com 3. "31 Examples of Corporate Jargon (+ Alternatives)" — Atlassian This is a fantastic, practical piece. It lists common jargon phrases and gives plain-language replacements. The best quote comes from author Joel Schwartzberg: "Using corporate jargon signals that the speaker is thinking of themselves and not the audience." That's basically your whole argument in one sentence. 🔗 atlassian.com 4. "4 Reasons Why We Must Stop Corporate Speak" — Medium Breaks down corporate speak as a gatekeeper — it distinguishes insiders from outsiders and creates unnecessary barriers. Defends accessible, human language as more inclusive and effective. 🔗 medium.com 5. "Circling Back on Corporate Speak: The History and Impact of Business Jargon" — Rivier University A deeper dive into the history of business jargon — where it came from and why it developed. References academic research showing it impedes daily communication and company success. 🔗 rivier.edu The core thread across all of these: business speak prioritizes the speaker's ego over the listener's understanding. Plain language is actually the more respectful, more effective choice. So your instinct to resist it isn't just personal preference — it's backed by research and expert opinion. 😄 --- Based on the articles I found, here's why business speak tends to favor the speaker's ego over the listener's understanding: Status Signaling Over Clarity Multiple sources point out that corporate jargon often functions as a status symbol. Leaders and professionals use buzzwords to signal they're "insiders" — part of the club. As the NeuroLeadership Institute article notes, when leaders use jargon as mental shortcuts, they're broadcasting their position more than delivering actionable information. It's less about communicating effectively and more about marking territory. Self-Focused, Not Audience-Focused The Atlassian article includes this key insight from communications expert Joel Schwartzberg: "Using corporate jargon signals that the speaker is thinking of themselves and not the audience." That's the core issue. Phrases like "synergy," "leverage," and "circle back" are chosen because they make the speaker sound sophisticated, not because they help the listener grasp the point faster. Plain language requires the effort to translate complex ideas into accessible terms — jargon lets the speaker off the hook. Gatekeeping Through Language The Medium piece frames business lingo as a form of linguistic gatekeeping. By speaking in specialized terminology, insiders create barriers that distinguish them from outsiders. It's exclusionary by design — you need to know the code to be trusted. This serves the speaker's desire to feel special or superior, not the listener's need to understand. Shortcuts That Cost Comprehension Research cited in the Rivier University article found that jargon "impedes a company's daily communication and success." When someone uses abstract phrases like "move the needle" or "think outside the box," they're saving themselves the time to explain what they actually mean — but forcing everyone else to guess. The listener bears the cognitive cost of decoding. False Impressions of Competence Several sources suggest jargon lets people mask uncertainty or lack of substance. Using complicated words can create an illusion of expertise even when there's nothing concrete behind it. A LinkedIn post in the search results puts it bluntly: jargon is "lying by obscurity" — hiding weak ideas behind impressive-sounding language. Bottom Line Plain language requires humility. It means admitting: "I care enough about your time and understanding to say this clearly." Business speak often signals the opposite: "I'd rather sound smart than make myself understood." Your preference for talking like a normal person isn't just a quirk — it's actually the more respectful, more effective communicative choice.