Jargon: It Creates a Wall Between Managers and Employees

A presentation to employees that they don't understand or that is packed with meaningless phrases is a communication failure. 

Using big words does not make you sound smarter, either. In fact, it usually has the opposite effect. You build credibility by connecting with your audience, not by trying to elevate yourself through fancy terms.

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that people were less interested and informed after reading jargon-filled samples—even when terms were defined—than another group reading a plain-language version. When staff glaze over stuffy or pretentious language, managers miss the opportunity to convey their message.

Buzzwords can be the result of laziness. It may be easier to drop a hackneyed term like "synergy" or "value chain" rather than explaining what you mean. But you can improve an empty phrase by adding specifics and nuance.

• Watch or review your previous presentations, blogs and memos. 
• Engage your readers, don't write at them. This means talking in their language. Choose words like "thinking," not "ideation." Call it a "report," not a "deliverable."
• Make text easy to scan. Fillers and puffy language get in the way.
• Avoid acronyms by spelling them out. Discuss KPI with your executive team, but be aware that other staffers may not know that you mean key performance indicators.

Remember that "blue sky thinking" will not take you to "where the rubber meets the road."