Limit Jargon to Avoid Communication Pitfalls

Are you truly connecting with your audience? If your oral or written remarks are loaded with terms like “bandwidth,” “wheelhouse,” “EOD,” “paradigm shift” and “iterative,” you may be missing the mark and could have a jargon problem.

Jargon is unique to people within a specific industry or profession. It includes figures of speech, phrases or acronyms intended to provide clarity. However, for people outside of an industry or profession, and even some within the group, jargon can have the opposite effect. It can make it harder for people to understand or connect with your message. If your audience struggles to understand your language, they will be unable to act on what you say.

Second Nature

We’ve all been guilty of this at some point. In workplaces and leadership positions, your communication style often becomes second nature. But it doesn’t matter how intelligent you sound if your audience can’t grasp the key points of your message. It is important to prioritize clarity. You can use simple, direct language without losing meaning or undermining your expertise.

Using too many big words can turn off an audience. Big words don’t always mean long ones; they can also be difficult to pronounce or understand. A friend and I have joked about using “five-dollar words” during casual conversations. We realized in those moments that plain language would suffice. Straightforward language is preferable for general audiences in any setting. I would categorize words like “piecemeal,” “ideation,” dissociative and “heteronormative” as five-dollar words.

Plain Language is Beneficial

When speaking, either use plain language or take the time to provide context and examples to ensure your audience understands your message. Pay attention to body language when speaking. If your audience seems uninterested or distracted, it’s a sign you may have lost them. If they start Googling words or asking others for clarification, that’s a clear indication. To keep your audience engaged, use relatable examples, analogies or anecdotes. Don’t hesitate to ask if anyone has questions.

Avoid Acronyms

It’s also important to ease up on acronyms. For example, when a task has a deadline, state that it will be due at the close of business or the end of the day rather than using abbreviations such as “COB” or “EOD.” It might add a few more words, but your audience will know precisely when to finish the assignment. Instead of writing “ATTN” in an email, explicitly say that a response is needed or that the message is important. Don’t leave your audience guessing. It will take them more time to decipher the message before fulfilling a task.

Be mindful of credentials. While you should take pride in your qualifications, avoid overwhelming your audience with acronyms. For instance, while many people may recognize what “RN” stands for, fewer may be familiar with “CDON/LTC.” Instead of listing multiple acronyms, explain the expertise within the content.

It’s crucial not to assume everyone in your audience shares the same background, experience or education. Unless your message is specifically directed at a particular group, straightforward language should be accessible to a broad, diverse audience. This approach makes you more relatable and helps build trust with the public.

Always be authentic. If you haven’t previously communicated a certain way, don’t start now. People can sense when someone is trying to be something they are not or when you are attempting to appear intellectually superior. You can communicate confidently and effectively by keeping it simple.

 

Coshandra Dillard is a freelance writer with Spotlight PR LLC. Be sure to check out other blogs and subscribe for regular communications updates.