How to Speak Office Without Crashing Out

Don’t miss the new Gen Z airplane announcement video if you’re traveling for the holidays. It’s a playful look at the communication gap, and you’ll leave with the phrases all the cool kids use. So, lock in, and we’ll discuss!

The battle to bridge the communication gap has been happening for years. But lately, the war of words is getting out of hand. Gen Z employees feel unfairly judged for their language choices. Simultaneously, Gen X and Boomers are doubling down on the idea that slang belongs after hours.

The online debate reminded me of my friend Max. He’s personable, smart, and incredibly well organized. Those qualities made him a natural to make the move from Business Manager to Chief of Staff for a highly regarded VP.

But when we connected, he had one story after another about a messy offsite with heavy hitters. He sighed, “The agenda turned out to be wishful thinking. One person had lots of big ideas. However, there was so much jargon that I had trouble following what they were saying. Others kept interrupting. Even my manager couldn’t get a word in edgewise.”

“I thought, I need help! Who runs meetings well? Who can help me learn the art of balancing strong, diverse personalities? Luckily, it’s a common problem for Chiefs of Staff. After lots of coffee meetings and war stories, I have fresh ideas. Hopefully I can get everyone speaking the same language!”

5 Office Speak Do’s and Don’ts

Have you ever felt like Max, where you wished you had a personal interpreter translating what others said? Instead of trying to be all things to all people, go back to basics. Be authentic but evolve using people skills like being self-aware, curious, and flexible.

Here are 5 do’s and don’ts you probably used day 1 on the job. They still work when speaking at the office:

1. Do make the message crystal clear. Limit slang, acronyms, insider phrases, or too many emojis. Set the goal to cast a wide communication net. A broad audience is impossible when people can’t understand you.
2. Do present only the best of the best. Starting new conversations with every idea may make you seem scattered. Keep 12 exchanges about dinner options for your friends’ text.
3. Do architect for the highest title. The VP riding along on Slack is gauging your polish. A brief back-and-forth may be all you get to prove you’re right for the Europe trip to meet the biggest-earning client.
4. Don’t be too familiar with executives. You don’t have to walk on eggshells. However, try starting formally, then relaxing your style as you get to know someone. Now’s the time and place for your best social skills.
5. Don’t forget to prep your summary. It’s safe to assume people are distracted and overloaded. So, always have a tweet in your back pocket to level set: Remind them where you left off, the agreed-upon task, and today’s update.

Deliver Information with Style and Soul

In the October series, Sidestep Communication Unforced Errors, we’ve talked about ways you can avoid everyday communication mistakes. The key takeaway is that comms aren’t a stand-alone skill. Mistakes happen because people forget competencies like solid judgment and emotional intelligence.

Here’s a recap of errors hiding in plain sight and how to differentiate your delivery:

1. You’re not losing Main Character status because of iced coffee. Compelling, relevant points are the way to put your best foot forward.
2. Being thorough and substantive is essential; overtalking is avoidable. So, skip verbal spirals. Simplify, simplify, simplify—that’s how to make the message easy for the listener.
3. Constant beefs are a misplaced way to demonstrate your agency (just ask Kelly Clarkson). Keep conversations constructive and your professional reputation intact by declining dead-end arguments.
4. And learn how to calibrate your delivery and speak office. Let’s face it—your unfiltered, fun, informal group chats should be by invitation only. ??

It’s possible to deliver information with confidence, style, and soul without crashing out. So, act like the creative, wise CEO of your life—a Soul Boss—and take charge of your communications with people skills.