I have been told that I use too much jargon at work. Isn’t jargon a way of showing I understand my job?
Jargon can be viewed in one of two ways. It’s either specific to your particular industry, or language designed to confuse. It could be argued that industry-specific jargon is worthwhile because it acts as shorthand for those ‘in the know’. However, it seems that because of the comments being made from your colleagues it may be that you need to assess when and how you use jargon.
Using jargon means you may run the risk of alienating colleagues rather than demonstrating how well you understand your job. Of course technical language has its place, but problems arise when phrases or acronyms are used excessively. It can leave those on the receiving end thinking that you are pompous or simply trying to ‘baffle them with science’.
To overcome this it’s important that you take some time to think about your audiences and choose your language carefully. A doctor, for example, may discuss pulmonary embolisms amongst medical staff, but when communicating with patients would be better referring to blocked arteries. In other words, you should use layman terms to ensure people don’t either feel stupid asking questions, or worse, misunderstand what they are hearing.
Communication must be clear and simple. With an increasingly diverse workforce, there is greater potential for confusion, so it’s even more important that you learn to say what you mean, without disguising the true message with complex language. If you find yourself using jargon, stop and ascertain whether others involved in the discussion are following it. If not, explain what you have said and continue, making sure the language is easily digestible.
You can quite easily work out if the use of jargon is appropriate by starting off any discussion with open questions. If you begin by seeking the views of others you will quickly pick up their level of ‘technical understanding’, affording you the opportunity to adapt your own choice of language. Successful communication is, after all, as much about being clear as it can be mirroring the approach taken by others.
Finally, remember that jargon is often used with the intention of saving time. Don’t fall into this trap as mistakes are often made simply because communications are rushed. Instead, keep your message short and then ask colleagues to recap, so that you are sure an understanding has been reached.
The importance of clear communication can not be underestimated. If like you are a fan of jargon, but those around you are not, its continued use will only serve to undermine any success you have had in your job to date.
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