“Let’s circle back”, “touch base”, “take this offline” — phrases like these have long dominated workplace conversations. But for a growing number of Gen Z employees, they no longer belong. Instead of accepting the jargon, they’re replacing it with something simpler, clearer and —crucially — more human.
New data from AI note-taking tool Notta.ai shows which buzzwords are getting the most backlash, with “circle back”, “synergy” and “lean” topping the list of workplace terms that employees find most irritating. The company analysed over 5,000 Reddit comments to compile the top 10:
- Circle back (356 mentions)
- Synergy (331)
- Lean (228)
- Touch base (222)
- Agile (192)
- Bandwidth (184)
- Leverage (152)
- Reach out (118)
- Low-hanging fruit (112)
- Take this offline (107)
A Shift Led By Digital Natives
This change in workplace language is more than a generational quirk. A 2024 study by US advisory firm Workplace Intelligence found that 67% of Gen Z workers feel more engaged when colleagues use informal language, and 62% report using it daily.
Their communication style, shaped by digital culture, leans on honesty, humour and brevity. Terms like “bet” (I agree), “no cap” (honestly) and “LMK” (let me know) have entered workplace chats and emails—not out of rebellion, but because they feel natural.
“Gen Z isn’t trying to be rebellious; they’re just being themselves. They’re naturally authentic communicators who value real connections over corporate performance, and it’s making workplaces more human,” said Notta.ai. founder and CEO Ryan Zhang.
Informality with Purpose
For employers, the shift may feel casual—but it is far from careless. This informal communication fosters connection, reduces performative behaviour, and can even improve wellbeing.
According to Notta.ai, the benefits of this approach include:
More Trust: Admitting to being “lowkey stressed” creates a level of vulnerability that helps teams build empathy and trust.
Stronger Relationships: Straightforward, genuine comments—such as “this idea hits different”—encourage more meaningful collaboration.
Fewer Barriers: Honest feedback and enthusiasm allow people at all levels to engage more freely.
Cross-Generational Dialogue: Even older colleagues report feeling more at ease when jargon is stripped away and enthusiasm is expressed sincerely.
A More Inclusive Culture: Phrases like “this slaps” may sound unusual to some, but they reflect a wider shift towards warmth and relatability in professional interactions.
Reframing Professionalism
Rather than lowering standards, Gen Z’s approach reframes what it means to be professional. It prioritises clarity, engagement and belonging—core components of any effective wellbeing strategy.
“Gen Z looked at workplaces filled with language that felt fake and said, ‘We’re going to be real’. They’re not changing communication to be different; they’re changing it because being authentic is who they are,” said Zhang.
For employers, it presents an opportunity to rethink how internal communication supports inclusion and engagement. Encouraging clear, respectful language — without falling back on stale corporate clichés — can strengthen team dynamics and improve psychological safety.
And while not every workplace will embrace “no cap” in official presentations, embracing authenticity over artifice may be one of the simplest and most effective ways to support a more human workplace culture.