When I was 16, young, innocent and naïve in the early days of my professional career in NHS management, I thought those highly paid managers must be very clever.
I heard them at meetings producing long, complicated words that seemed impressive. They spoke a complex language that I didn’t understand. I was young and felt intimidated about confessing my ignorance of some of the language. As a result I found myself trying to look ‘smart’ too. Maybe I’m the only person in the world of management who has ever done that ….. I think not.
Forty years later I’m older, still (fairly) innocent and not quite so naïve. Most of all I’m a bit more experienced of life and work. I can now confidently say that most of that mysterious language I used to think was clever and smart is in fact a false ‘barrier’ put up by many managers. This barrier is designed to confuse those folks who are not managers.
Let’s be honest, we all do it – whatever our job, trade or profession. We invent our own language and then we ‘talk it’ inside our own tent with our peers. This means we mere ‘average’ folks can’t get inside that tent.
As I got older and more experienced in my NHS career I found it much easier to actually stop people in mid-sentence of their latest diatribe and ask them to speak a language that I understand. I know that’s not necessarily easy for some people to do. It’s pretty natural to want to be part of the crowd - inside the tent with peers. It can feel a bit scary and can make us feel a bit alone and vulnerable if we have what is perceived as the temerity to challenge the credibility of ‘acceptable’ language.
What I’m saying is that if someone is talking bullshit then we might as well tell them it’s bullshit … in a nice way of course. If we allow it to go unchecked we become part of the ‘conspiracy to confuse.’
So ….. I’m up for challenging the pretentiousness of managers who persist in speaking bullshit.. Is anyone else in my tent?
I’d love to hear from you about some of the language you have heard from managers who are programmed to confuse ordinary folks like me.
When it comes to language – keep it simple.
20 comments:
Quality babble and businessspeak! "Bleeding edge"."Hard Stop". "Right size"...the list would be endless. Politicians and media types are equally annoying. The problem is further compounded by the endless e-meetings and conference calls I have to attend. I must admit however there are one or two I find myself using like "re-inventing the flat tire" but hey...it's what we do in my company! There is one group I facilitate that actually calls each other out and fines each other for what is considered by them to be a boorish breach of meeting etiquette. But most are indeed treated by silence. I'm with you on this one sir! I'm thinking that being my age I can get away with a "what in the heck" or "excuse me, did you just say______?"
Hi Trevor,
Complicated words are complex and simple words denotes simplicity the former being complicate to understand and the latter simple to understand. Therefore Managers using complicated words in their communications can never be considered neither clever nor smart, on the contrary the other way.
I do agree with you Trevor, as I too don't like bullshit as it indeed stinks and I don't mind or care expressing that shit in any manner be it nice or otherwise as the idea is not to be a part and reason for bullshit and if one does not check it promptly and properly, one becomes part of the conspiracy as rightly mentioned by you, and 'am into defuse it rather than confuse.
By the way Trevor you are still fair and fairly young and if you have any doubt on it pl check with Annie and you have old experience and not old enough and that old experience is GOLD experience.
J.K
J.K.- I like that 'defuse, not confuse' and 'old experience is gold experience'.
I was trying to explain to my physiotherapist the injury I had near the base of my spine, and he nodded wisely and said, "We call that a PITA", and then grinned, "a Pain in the A**!"
Lois Gory
Hi John.
I like that PITA......In our Freight forwarding Industry too there is PIA means the same as you indicated and that's none other than "PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES"(PIA) I mean peoples opinion to travel in PIA is what you meant!!!!!
J.K
Dave, JK and Lois - thank you all - great comments as always!
Trevor - I quite understand what you mean. I have come to realize that all things in life are simple in their original form but we change the standards and everyone wants to be at the top. It tends to confuse things even the way we speak. Let us be not afraid to speak in simple terms, concise and to the point, shedding ourselves of the balderdash and claptrap trimmings of wannabe aristocrats.
Important words thanks Dale - I love your term 'wannabe aristocrats' - we all know some eh?
Trevor, good to see you back in the saddle!
I think we should replace the convoluted and aggressive jargon of business with the simpler and kinder language of the Age of Aquarius. At least it couldn't be any worse. Peace, Love, and Understanding work as well as Empowerment and Synergy. I'd love to hear a CEO address colleagues with: "C'mon people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try and love one another right now." I suppose workers would still have to wear shoes though.
Love the concept John - maybe a CEO being interviewed by his/her employees in song might be another positive way forward....
May I suggest that well known four piece band from your neck of the woods singing their classic country rock ballad might be a good start ...
"You can't hide your lyin' eyes ...and your smile is a thin disguise... Thought by now you'd realise ...ain't no way to hide you lyin eyes" ....
Thanks for the idea Sir - keep takin' the pills :-)
Dear Trevor/John
Most of the "Chief Executive officers" will be too pleased and impressed to become "Chief Entertainment officers" to sing and dance with, be it bare foot or with shoes on (just for laughter pl)
J.K
JK - Do you think we should promote John to the postion of CEO - Chief Entertainment Officer for our Simplicity Blog friends? - If so we can then hold John to account for keeping us all entertained!!! ...Just joking ... I think ...
Let's hear from John whether he is prepared to accept this awesome responsibility! :-)
Trevor,
I too shall await to hear from John his views on your suggestion??
( In lighter vein pl)
J.K
Come on John - what's your decision - are you going to take on this awesome job???!!!
Trevor,
In our country thereis a sayimg and belief that"silence is agreement" since John is keeping silent it means he has decided and made up his mind to take upthe awesome job without any hesitaation for the benefit of all his simplicity friends and do justice to the job.
J.K
Hi guys. Sorry for my absence. (They only let me out on weekends now.) I'm happy to accept ANY position for which there are no job requirements or success criteria. (That's why I played in rock bands for 15 years.) I assume I can set my own pay?
Trevor, when I began reading your sentence that began with "four piece band" I immediately assumed you would go into a Beatles reference. The Eagles, when they were are a REAL band—not the one playing nostalgia tours—were of course a five-piece, featuring the incomparable Don Felder on guitar.
Hi John,
Good and glad to know that you are willing to accept the awesome job and you can of course assume to set your own salary.But there is a danger in ASSUME as it will make one ASS out of U&ME ASS(UME)..........so be cautious & careful Sir.
Hope Trevor will be in agreement with me!!!!
J.K
You're hired John - at a salary to be negotiated between you and me. Conclusion of those negotiations estimated to be the year 2080 at which point I will pay you – back - dated of course to 2011 – sounds like a good deal to me Sir!
I think the original four were Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. I recently watched a fascinating 90 minute Eagles documentary of their early days John that you would have enjoyed. It charted the rise of The Eagles and how they came to England to have their first two Albums produced ... They fell out with the English producer and future albums were recorded in the US. Wish I'd known them then - I could have tried to persuade them to stay in UK!!!
Best wishes my friend – keep on rocking.
Hi John,
Good morning.
Congatulations on your new appointment and terms offerred by Trevor is Good and you owe a treat to him right away and all the best to you in your new assignment sir.And to Trvor.......Thank you Sir for being very flexible in your terms offerred to John.......and let,s wait for his final acceptance.
J.K
Yes, I accept. I will immediately undertake the awesome responsibilities—once I figure out what they are——of my prestigious position.
Trevor, yes, the Eagles began as a 4-piece, but became superstars with Walsh & Felder. But you shouldn't overlook the great, great bands that grew up in your part of the universe, including three I mention in my latest post. (U2 is almost a Brit band.)
Thanks John - The Kinks were my favourite Brit Band despite being rivals of the Fab Four. Love your post by the way.
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