Consider these tips before you dare to swear at work.
As seen in U.S. News | October 23, 2017
People swear – a lot. Just spend five minutes watching the most popular YouTube videos and TV shows or sit behind any group of adults (or teenagers) without small children and you will quickly hear how prevalent swearing has become. Primetime profanity on TV increased 69 percent in five years, according to a 2010 survey by the Parents Television Council. This week, the quiz on “Your Swearing Habits Will Allow Us To Guess Your Exact Age” is one of the top-15 trending posts on Buzzfeed. In short, daring to swear has never been more popular.
It is clear that having a potty mouth has become the new normal in media, books and even in political campaigns – but is it OK at work? The answer is a giant, vague, “it depends.” Here are some tips to determine when (and if) swearing is warranted or if it is a career-limiting move at the office.
People swear – a lot. Just spend five minutes watching the most popular YouTube videos and TV shows or sit behind any group of adults (or teenagers) without small children and you will quickly hear how prevalent swearing has become. Primetime profanity on TV increased 69 percent in five years, according to a 2010 survey by the Parents Television Council. This week, the quiz on “Your Swearing Habits Will Allow Us To Guess Your Exact Age” is one of the top-15 trending posts on Buzzfeed. In short, daring to swear has never been more popular.
It is clear that having a potty mouth has become the new normal in media, books and even in political campaigns – but is it OK at work? The answer is a giant, vague, “it depends.” Here are some tips to determine when (and if) swearing is warranted or if it is a career-limiting move at the office.
The same can be true when presenting to strangers or others with whom you are less familiar. If the goal of a presentation, speech, conversation or interview is to a get a unanimous positive answer, swearing is a risky move that can cause irreversible damage. Avoid a casual curse in a formal or unfamiliar setting.
However, want to influence, motivate or bond? Swearing may help your cause in these cases. According to an article by Olga Khazan on The Atlantic, “… research suggests that swearing in public – even in the office – can sometimes make people like you more.” How is that possible? Let’s examine the underlining factors.
First, we know that cursing is on the rise. It follows that swearing makes us sound more like everyone else, and can thus make you relatable. Evidence of the everyman approach can be seen in our current political landscape where politicians on both sides use swear words to appear more like their constituents.
Selective swearing can have additional benefits beyond relatability. In her article, Khazan references research that shows swearing at work can accentuate a point, display urgency, get attention or convey assertiveness. Profanity is still unexpected in most work settings, so it can perk up attention and enhance the effectiveness of some messages.
The focus and intention of words matter. Even more so than the actual words that are used, according to writers David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom. Their social research for an article on Forbes.com shows that if words are used to encourage, motivate and inspire, they rate well with the recipients. For example, an impassioned (and thankful) sales manager saying, “Mark, we are so damn lucky we have a clutch closer like you on the team to get us to our quarterly sales goal just in time,” gets high motivational marks. However, “Bob, you are a damn idiot who can’t hit your quota,” falls short.
Swearing at work requires caution. When the stakes are high and you are in a “yes or no” scenario, play it safe and keep it clean. There is no need to add obstacles that may cause the listener to question your professionalism. However, when your goal is to encourage or motivate others, a well-placed expletive may punctuate your point. The key is to assess your environment and your end goal before making the call. It is truly a case of knowing your audience and selective timing.
