Corporate lingo ick: How to communicate with Gen Z at work

Struggling with workplace communication? These tips will help you connect with your Gen Z employees more smoothly without sounding awkward or out of touch.

We are a month into 2025, and the busy period is picking up. For your Generation Z employees, the new year still brings with it an old frustration – having to understand workplace jargon.

According to recent surveys, nearly half of Gen Z workers find themselves irritated by cliche corporate lingo. As TikTok fills up with skits poking fun at terms such as 'let’s circle back’, older colleagues are turning to Google to decode Gen Z slang, with searches for “Gen Z dictionary”, a search term that has seen a 55% spike this month.

Examples of corporate lingo and better alternatives

1) Corporate: Let’s circle back on this.
Better: Let’s discuss this tomorrow.

2) Corporate: Let’s table this idea.
Better: Let’s postpone this idea.

3) Corporate: We will touch base later.
Better: We will talk about this later.

4) Corporate: I will ping you.
Better: I will text you.

5) Corporate: Do you have the bandwidth for this?
Better: Do you have the capacity for this?

6) Corporate: Let’s focus on low-hanging fruit for this project.
Better: Let’s focus on the easy wins for this project.

7) Corporate: We need to get all our ducks in a row.
Better: We need to get everything organised.

8) Corporate: We need all team members to hit the ground running.
Better: We need everyone to be productive from the start.

9) Corporate: Our team have great synergy.
Better: We have great teamwork.

10) Corporate: Let’s take this offline.
Better: Let’s discuss this privately later.

Words like these often make Gen Z roll their eyes. This communication is not just awkward, it is a productivity killer. To help bridge the divide, Avery Morgan, Chief Human Resources Officer, EduBirdie shares four straightforward tips to help older generations connect authentically with Gen Z in the workplace.

Four simple rules to connect with Gen Z

1) Cut the corporate talk:  

• Avoid unnecessary jargon.  
• Speak clearly and directly to save everyone time and confusion. 

2) Show your human side: 

• Add a personal touch to communication. 
• Start with a warm greeting and acknowledge their efforts. 

3) Do not overcompensate, stay authentic: 

• Do not overdo slangs or try to mimic trends. 
• Be yourself and ask questions instead of pretending to understand the slang term.  

4) Value their input, avoid micromanaging:  

• Involve them in decisions and avoid micromanaging. 
• Frame feedback as collaboration, not correction.  

The key to connecting with Gen Z at work is not about memorising slangs. Instead, focus on being genuine and communicating clearly. By cutting the corporate fluff, you will not only close the generational gap but also foster a more inclusive and productive work environment.