Our Top Cringe Corporate Speak

Happy Wednesday!

This week’s episode was going to be a good one - we recorded it and even Leigh (who does not hand out exclamation points lightly) said, “That was a really good one!”

But then… audio issues. Sigh. We said words I won’t repeat here (just in case you’re reading this on your work email).

Don’t worry - we’re re-recording that episode and bringing it to you soon, because it deserves to be heard (just... clearly). In the meantime, we’re serving up something that honestly made us laugh harder than expected. And that’s saying something - because the only thing cringier than corporate speak… is hearing your own voice on a podcast.

So, What’s on This Week’s Episode?

This week, we’re bringing our Top 10 Cringe Corporate Speak.

Listen to our best (aka) worst. This countdown includes references to farm animals, vague threats of nudity, uncomfortable family dynamics and whatever it is that “executive presence” is supposed to look like like.

Even if you’ve been an HR Bestie listener since Day 1, we promise you’ll enjoy listening to these back. And if you're new here, consider this your corporate initiation.

Discussion Guide (for Your Team Discussion or Podcast Group Chat)

• Have you ever used any of these cringe corporate speak phrases at work?

• What corporate speak would you ban forever if you could?

• If Jamie changed her LinkedIn title to “Clownal Presence,” what would you change yours to?

ChatGPT Prompts of the Week

Professional:

• What are more real talk alternatives to common buzzwords?

• What are things to do before I’m nervous in a meeting or presentation that are more professional than imagining my leaders in their underwear?

Personal:

• Please help me write a text to my work bestie in cringe corporate speak (and no, the “please” isn’t necessary, but you know we’re in the camp of being on AI’s good side “just in case”).

Thanks for joining us through our “Exceeds Expectations” days and the ones where we’re just trying to hit 'Meets Expectations.'” And, in a big news announcement…

We just crossed ONE MILLION podcast downloads!!!

Thank you so much for listening, sharing, giving a rating or review, and sending in the love. We’re three people who found each other on social media, all with backgrounds in HR but very different, and have become true BFFs - and found “our people” along the way with this HR community.

We’re so excited to keep this going, and your support really does make all the difference. If you’re loving the mix of business and BS, the three best ways to help us out are:

1. Share the pod with a friend or coworker who gets it (as in Business + BS).

2. Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

3. Write a short review on Apple Podcast (you can even pick your own screen name - get creative (eg, Leigh: MascaraQueenfromStateSchool1, Ashley: LetMeLookThatUp16, Jamie: ChiefMemeOfficer7).

   Bonus: you can do all three right now - they mean the world.

Thank you again for helping us hit our benchmark - we (literally) couldn’t have done it without you, and we appreciate you!

XOXO,
Your HR Besties

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