HBR On Leadership What Jargon Says About Your Company Culture
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Dec 17, 2025 Anne Curzan, a Professor of English at the University of Michigan, dives into the world of business jargon, defending its role in workplace culture. She explores how jargon reveals insights about organizational dynamics and relationships. Curzan explains the origins of buzzwords like 'think outside the box' and why they can annoy some. She warns against using sports metaphors with international audiences and discusses how English became the global business language, highlighting the implications of its evolving role.
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Jargon Creates Shortcuts And Boundaries
- Jargon is the specialized lexicon that emerges in any shared enterprise and creates useful shortcuts.
- It also builds insider/outsider dynamics that shape workplace belonging and exclusion.
Jargon Critique Reflects Bigger Worries
- Complaints about business jargon often mask broader concerns about euphemism and the power of business in society.
- People also generically resist new words, a pattern repeated across centuries.
Match Language To Your Audience
- Consider your audience before using jargon and ask whether terms will be persuasive or off-putting.
- Choose language that conveys trust and accessibility for the intended listeners.