Photo by Vishal Modak
Do you remember the weight of your school bag? If you went to a convent school like I did, a good chunk of that weight was probably the holy grail of English grammar: Wren & Martin.
Growing up, carrying that book and a dictionary wasn’t just about studying; it was a way of life. I was raised in a protected environment where proper prepositions were praised, and dangling modifiers were practically a sin. I admit it—I was a budding “Grammar Nazi.” I equated perfect English with intelligence.
But then, life happened.
I moved from that sheltered school ecosystem to college, and suddenly, I was interacting with brilliant minds from all walks of life. That was my first reality check. I realized that while I was obsessing over syntax, they were focusing on substance.
Now, as a working mom navigating the corporate world, that realization has only deepened. But just when I thought I had it figured out, along came Gen Z…
The Global Workplace: Connection Over Correction
Entering the workforce was the final nail in the coffin for my inner Grammar Police.
Today, English may be the primary language of business, but it is spoken with a thousand different flavors. I work with colleagues from various European countries and across the globe. Their English might not pass a strict Wren & Martin test, but they are closing deals, innovating products, and leading teams.
I’ve learned that language is a bridge, not a barrier. If I’m busy mentally correcting someone’s verb tense, I’m missing the brilliant idea they are trying to share.
The New Boss Level: Gen Z Lingo
However, just as I became comfortable with global accents and “Business English,” the goalposts moved again.
Enter Generation Z.
I am still trying to wrap my head around it. I hear words like “no cap,” “slay,” and “bet” in the breakroom (or on Zoom), and I feel like I need a new dictionary. It’s a humbling reminder that language is fluid. Just as I learned that grammar isn’t everything, I now have to accept that language evolves faster than we do.
5 Ways to Navigate Language in the Modern Workplace
So, how do we—career moms who grew up on formal grammar—survive in a hybrid, global, Gen Z-influenced office without losing our minds? Here are a few ideas:
1. Divorce Intelligence from Fluency
This is the biggest unlearning we have to do. A colleague’s heavy accent or minor grammatical slip-ups have zero correlation with their competence. When you stop listening for errors, you start listening for value.
2. Retire the “Grammar Nazi” Badge
Being the person who corrects typos in a casual email isn’t “cool”—it’s alienating. Unless you are editing a formal press release or a legal contract, let the small stuff slide. It builds better psychological safety in your team.
3. The “Gen Z” Strategy: Ask, Don’t Fake
Please, for the love of everything holy, do not try to use Gen Z slang if it doesn’t come naturally. You will sound like the “How do you do, fellow kids” meme.
- Instead: Be curious. If a younger colleague says, “That meeting was high-key stressful,” and you’re lost, just smile and ask, “I’m learning new terms every day—what’s the context for high-key?” It builds rapport and shows you’re approachable.
4. Clarity is King (and Queen)
Because we work with so many non-native speakers, the best “business language” is simple language.
- Avoid idioms (e.g., “Let’s not boil the ocean” or “Hit it out of the park”). These are confusing for global teams.
- Be direct. Say exactly what you mean.
5. Grace is the Best Language
Whether it’s a colleague struggling to find the right English word, or a Gen Z intern using slang you don’t get, respond with grace. We are all just trying to be understood.
The Takeaway?
My Wren & Martin is gathering dust somewhere, and that’s okay. The dictionary has moved from my backpack to an app on my phone. The words we use might change, but the goal remains the same: Connection.
And honestly? If we can manage toddlers, teenagers, and board meetings all in one day, we can handle a little “Gen Z lingo.” (Though I still might need Google to figure out what “rizz” means).