CLICHÉS AND BUZZWORDS
Before we get started here, let’s distinguish between a “buzzword” and a “cliché.” A buzzword is usually 1-3 words, and it’s something that really has no value when said -- or, conversely, it has 1,000 different meanings to people that might hear it. A good example of a buzzword is “synergy.”
A cliché is usually a phrase, often repeated, that by this point no one really believes to be true anymore, although people keep saying it. The dictionary definition of “cliché” is “a phrase or word that is overused and lacks original thought.” Example: “What do you want to do tonight?” Cliché comes… “whatever”. In a business context, I would add “sounds like it could be true, but you know it’s likely really not.”
Here are five offenders:
“It’s not about the money.” In most cases, when this is said you can trust it’s about the money. Whether you work in the for-profit or non-profit world, successful organizations have to be financially solvent. We sometimes view money as evil, but it’s not. Money represented through currency helps business and organizations have the impact and lifestyle that they want to have. It’s okay to make decisions based upon money. In fact, most decisions that are made in organizations take the financial consequences as a high factor in the final choice that is made. Most things are usually about it, and that’s OK.
“It’s not personal, it’s business.” This one has always been crazy to me. We are not two people. We may act differently in professional contexts and at bachelor parties, sure. But we are all one person. Business decisions that that involve two people are inherently personal; you can’t just say “it’s business” and expect the other person to say “OK, we’re good here!” Also, as for that thick line we draw between “personal” and “work”? Did you know that there’s a 92% overlap in “reasons people get divorced” and “reasons people leave jobs/get fired?” Yep. 92 percent. The four main factors in each case are: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. Your personal life and your business life are not as different as you think. Everything overlaps.
“Crush it.” We mostly got this from Gary Vee. I like 99% of his stuff. His content matrix about how to produce one piece of content and keep it living on IG, FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. is gold! He is a marketing savant. I even bought his shoes! However, I do think some clarity needs to be added. I have a rambunctious 9-year-old. She is always out playing and exploring. If she comes to me and says "Dad can I crush it?" I have a fundamental question. "What is it?" If she says a spider, then she can crush away. If she says the neighbor's little kid then the answer is 100% no. I hear people copying the phrase (honestly I have as well) and I just wonder what are they going to crush? Is it goals? Then go for it. However oftentimes it sounds like people are referring to other people. What if they don't have to be "crushed" in order for us to do amazing things? What if we focused less on other people (starting with Facebook) and just focused on reaching our own goals?
“When you find your passion, work is not work.” Think of a passionate career choice. Maybe a pastor? A doctor? Most pastors I know love their work, yes, but they still have direct reports, they have budgets to do, they have to plan for every aspect of Sunday to go well, etc. It’s still work. Doctors? Yes, they make good money and help people, but they still meet with reps, they manage budgets, they deal with insurance, they get backed up on patients, patients trash them online, etc. It’s still work. I love what I do. Since 22 years old I’ve always loved the careers that I’ve been in, but there have been times that it has NOT been fun. It has been flat out hard, frustrating WORK! I hope your work and core passion align but if they don’t? You can still find joy and passion in doing your best and a great job. If your passion and work do align, just know that some days will still suck. That’s a part of working in a fallen world. Most of the time the problem is not with the work, it’s with our approach to the work.
“Team-focused” This one is a buzzword and a cliché. In case you think I am coming down on teams, I am not. Teams can achieve a lot! In fact I’m on the side with Shawn Anchor’s “Big Potential” that says teams can achieve more than individuals working solo. I also believe that our lives are filled with many more teams then we traditionally realize. Real estate; typically seen as an individual career, is filled with team members. To get a deal done, i.e. a house getting sold, it takes a team of people from other agents, mortgage professional, inspectors, title companies, to the family searching for the house to a thousand other little pieces. But in a standard work setting, who gets rewarded? How often have you seen full teams promoted? It’s very rare. Individuals get the perks and promotions, and that often undercuts the idea of a team -- because people are hustling for themselves. If we use the phrase “team focused” then we need to make sure that we are building in the reward structure and systems that reinforce it.
What other clichés annoy you?
-Greg