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Why Your Young Colleague Thinks “That’s Sus” Is Professional Feedback

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The Language Gap at Work: Gen Z vs Traditional Corporate Speak

“Let’s table this for now.”
Translation: “Your idea might be the worst we’ve heard today.”

There was a time when corporate language was a badge of professionalism. Phrases like “circle back,” “leverage synergies,” and “let’s unpack this” dominated emails, meetings, and job descriptions. But the entrance of Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—is flipping the script.

Singapore, with its fast-modernising economy and multigenerational workforce, is feeling the impact acutely.

Traditional Corporate Language: Polished, Professional… and Passive-Aggressive?

Corporate-speak evolved from hierarchical structures that prized formality and diplomacy. It sounds professional, but often masks meaning. A Harvard Business Review article put it bluntly: “Much of corporate jargon is a way to avoid saying anything meaningful”.

Here’s how that language typically looks:

Phrase What It Really Means
“Let’s circle back” “I’ll probably forget this”
“Low-hanging fruit” “Let’s do the easy stuff first”
“Deep dive” “Let’s over-analyse this”
“Bandwidth” “I’m too busy (or uninterested)”
Gen Z: Enter the Emojis, Exit the Fluff

Raised on TikTok, memes, and WhatsApp group chats, Gen Z brings a radically different tone to the office. Think less formality, more directness. Less fluff, more vibes.

“You slayed that client pitch 🔥”
“That’s sus, let’s recheck the data.”

These aren't unprofessional slips—they’re Gen Z’s way of staying authentic. According to a 2023 LinkedIn report, 75% of Gen Z prefer “authentic” communication at work over polished emails or jargon-filled decks.

Some common Gen Z phrases in professional settings:

Gen Z Term Meaning in Context
“Bet” “Agreed / Got it”
“Slay” “You did great”
“No cap” “I’m being honest”
“Sus” “This looks suspicious or off”
“Vibe” “The overall feeling or tone”
According to research cited in Forbes, Gen Z uses slang 8 times a day on average in workplace settings—compared to 5 times for Baby Boomers.

 Are millennials, Gen Z maligned and misunderstood at work? - TODAY

Lost in Translation: Why It Matters in Singapore

In Singapore, where multigenerational offices are the norm, this disconnect isn't just awkward—it’s operationally risky. Miscommunication can cost time, morale, and even clients. A 2023 LinkedIn Southeast Asia survey revealed:

  • 48% of Gen Z employees feel left out due to not understanding corporate jargon.

  • 53% of Baby Boomers say they struggle to grasp Gen Z slang.

  • 27% of millennial managers admitted they’ve Googled Gen Z phrases to understand junior staff.

In a high-stakes, fast-moving economy like Singapore’s, clarity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative.

Singaporean Companies Are Taking Note

Some companies are already adapting. DBS Bank, for example, began introducing reverse mentoring programmes where younger staff help senior leaders understand digital culture—including new communication norms.

A 2022 Randstad Singapore study found that “communication transparency and authenticity” ranked as a top priority among employees under 30.

Stay or quit? How some Gen Z workers in Singapore are marching to the beat of their own drum - CNA

How to Bridge the Generational Language Gap

The solution isn’t to pick one style over the other—it’s about blending them effectively.

For Gen Z:

  • Learn when to tone it down. Use slang in peer chats, but switch to formal language for client meetings or senior management.

  • Clarify when needed. Emojis don’t replace context. If something is serious, say so clearly.

For Employers & Managers:

  • Invest in communication workshops that decode slang and jargon alike.

  • Encourage direct but respectful feedback styles—“You slayed that report” can coexist with “Your recommendations were comprehensive and valuable.”

  • Create glossaries or onboarding content that explain both corporate and Gen Z terminology.

Commentary: Still adapting to Gen Z workers? We need to start thinking about working with Gen Z leaders - CNA

Workplace communication in Singapore is at a fascinating crossroads. On one side is tradition—safe, structured, and hierarchical. On the other, the Gen Z wave—raw, rapid, and real.

Instead of resisting change, companies should embrace this moment to foster clearer, more inclusive, and more human conversations at work.

After all, whether it’s “circle back” or “bet,” the goal is the same: get things done, together.

This is an AI-powered article, curated by The Financial Coconut. 

Let us know what you think about this topic, and what do you want to hear next.

References & Sources

  1. Harvard Business Review – Why We Love to Hate Office Jargon

  2. Forbes – Gen Z Slang In The Office: Smart Move Or Career Suicide?

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