How to escape clichés in professional communications
Every day, the same tired phrases are repeatedly used in professional settings both written and verbal.
Phrases so overused, they’ve lost all meaning. You know the ones.
“Reach out”. “Touch base.” "Game changer." “Slide into my DMs.” “Going Forward.” It's like a script everyone has memorised, and it’s exhausting.
It seems like we’ve all agreed to speak in the same dull, buzzword-laden language that’s supposed to sound professional, but, honestly, it doesn't.
Using clichés just makes you sound like you’re going through the motions. When everyone falls into the trap of relying on the same tired language, it turns communication into a series of hollow phrases that don’t mean a thing.
Why do we use clichés?
These phrases are easy. They’re speedy ways to convey ideas without much thought. "Blue-sky thinking" might sound creative. “At the end of the day” can seem like a tidy way to wrap things up. “Hit the ground running” is a way to describe approaching something with enthusiasm and energy.
They’re empty placeholders, meant to sound like they’re conveying something, but in reality, they’re doing the opposite; they’re deflecting real conversation.
Worse, they’ve been used so often that they’ve become parodies of themselves. You could say them without even thinking, and it wouldn’t change a thing.
What’s frustrating is that it has become a sort of language trap. People use these buzzwords because they don’t want to feel left out or unprofessional.
Is it easy to follow?
Reading out loud lets you hear if your sentences connect logically. Do the ideas flow one after the other? If something sounds off or confusing, it’s a sign your writing may need a bit more structure to make it easier to follow.
How to step away from clichés
If you’re tired of falling into this pattern, here are some ways to move beyond the cycle of overused phrases:
Be specific. Instead of saying “Let’s take this offline,” you could say, “Let’s arrange a meeting to discuss this further.” Instead of “Take the bull by the horns" why not just say “face this challenge directly and take control. Specificity adds value and meaning to your communication.
Use active language. Rather than relying on vague phrases like “quick wins” or “low-hanging fruit,” focus on action. Say, “Let’s tackle the simplest tasks first” or “This task will help us meet our immediate goals.” Clear, active language keeps things focused on the steps needed to achieve something.
Offer new ideas or ways of speaking. For example, rather than “let’s circle back,” say, “I’ll follow up with you on this after I’ve had time to think about it.” This sounds more authentic and invites a meaningful conversation.
Let the old phrases go. Acknowledge some phrases have outlived their usefulness. “At the end of the day” doesn’t add anything to a conversation anymore; it’s just a filler. Rather than repeating them because it’s easy, take a moment to think about what you’re trying to say and express it more clearly.
Communicate your ideas clearly. For instance, instead of saying "we need to think outside the box to develop innovative solutions that will take our project to the next level,” you could simply say “We need to come up with new ideas to improve our project." This is clearer and easy for people to understand.
Use your own voice. This is the big one. Instead of relying on clichés, speak like you. Your voice, your natural, honest way of expressing yourself, is the most powerful tool you have.
Final thoughts: speak with purpose, not phrases
It’s not about the phrases you use; it’s about the message you convey. When we use clichés, we risk losing the essence of what we’re trying to communicate. It’s easy to default to these shortcuts, but they won’t make you sound smarter or more professional. They just make you sound like everyone else.
So, the next time you’re tempted to use a cliché, either when writing or speaking, pause and consider what’s the real message you want to send? The more genuine and meaningful your communication is, the more you’ll stand out.
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