I don’t know if these words are a pet peeve of mine, or genuinely that bad. But if you hear them, it might be a sign of trouble ahead.
- Business need – the best way to stifle growth in a company is to focus on business needs.
- Discovery phase – it’s a way of telling interested parties to stay out of your project. Regardless of the value they may add.
- Holistic – a word that means everything, means nothing.
- Stakeholders – you see this one a lot in the public sector.
- Silos
- Innovation – if you’re saying it, you’re probably not doing it.
- Collaboration – see above.
- Feedback – more HR speak.
- Casual encounter
- Hallway reputation – this is HR speak for “you’re gonna get fired soon.”
- Career development opportunities
- Process – Like business need and governments, you hear this in places with little creative growth.
- Omni channel – like innovation, if you’re saying it, you’re probably not doing it.
- Governance – sign of a company being choked by red tape.
- Test and Learn – fancy talk for a guilty conscience battling with the need to explore. If you need a label for exploration, you’re in trouble.