Buzzword Overload: Are We Actually Saying Anything?
In today’s workplace, it can feel like you need a decoder ring just to get through a team meeting.
You’re not just a leader anymore—you’re a force multiplier.
Your team doesn’t collaborate—they’re AI-powered decision architects working in hyper-agile ecosystems using big data to drive next-gen impact.
And if you haven’t updated your resume to reflect your commitment to digital transformation while avoiding FOBO(Fear of Becoming Obsolete)... are you even trying?
It’s exhausting.
We’re swimming in buzzwords. And while some started with good intent, many have become empty, overused, and—let’s be honest—kind of meaningless. Nowhere is this clearer than with the way we talk about quitting:
Quiet Quitting – Doing only what’s required, no more, no less.
Conscious Quitting – Leaving based on ethical misalignment.
Revenge Quitting – Dramatic exit, mic drop optional.
Bare Minimum Mondays – (Yes, that’s a thing now too.)
At this point, we probably need a fast-follow strategy just to keep up with all the ways people are walking out the door.
Here’s the problem: Buzzwords don’t drive change—clarity does. You can’t AI your way out of low engagement. You can’t data-dump your way into trust. And you definitely can’t rebrand disengagement and expect things to magically improve.
It’s time we stop trying to impress with jargon and start leading with intention. That means:
Real leadership—not just being a “force multiplier”
Strategic thinking—not just “leveraging big data”
Empowered teams—not just renaming quitting trends to avoid real conversations
People don’t need another rebranded label to describe their frustration—they need leaders who are willing to engage, to listen, and to act with purpose.
Let’s skip the word salad and get back to the basics: trust, communication, and accountability. The fundamentals still work. We just have to use them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Lupinacci spent the last 25 years at some of the world's best-known companies, such as Intel Corporation and Kimberly-Clark. His career spans key executive roles such as Chief Learning Officer, Chief Talent Officer, and Chief Integration Officer. After a successful corporate career, Jeff turned his focus to his true passion—serving the overworked and under-resourced HR profession.
Beyond his corporate success, Jeff is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, with his insights featured in leading publications such as CFO Europe, Nikkei Business Magazine, and Baylor Business Review. In addition to his business leadership, Jeff is an adjunct professor at Baylor University, where he teaches Human Capital Management for the Executive MBA program and leads the HR Strategy and Analytics capstone for undergraduates.
Jeff is the best-selling author of The Talent Advantage: A CEO’s Journey to Discover the Value of Talent. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and two doodles.