--- title: "Jeetu Patel Does Not Tolerate Unnecessary Jargon in Meetings" url: https://newscentral.site/jeetu-patel-does-not-tolerate-unnecessary-jargon-in-meetings/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Business" published: 2026-11-11T08:03:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-11T13:42:08.505Z id: 645db49e-88da-49b8-a286-8eb4586d2c45 source: "Fortune https://fortune.com/2026/11/11/ciscos-chief-jeetu-patel-terminate-meeting-over-acronyms-jeff-bezos-jamie-dimon-rules/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/jeetu-patel-does-not-tolerate-unnecessary-jargon-in-meetings/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Jeetu Patel Does Not Tolerate Unnecessary Jargon in Meetings Cisco's president and chief product officer Jeetu Patel is cracking down on unnecessary jargon in meetings, citing its impact on inclusivity and participation. Cisco's president and chief product officer Jeetu Patel has made it clear that he does not tolerate unnecessary jargon in meetings. According to him, using certain acronyms can be a major turn-off and even lead to him terminating a meeting altogether. Patel expressed his distaste for company-specific acronyms that are used without explanation, saying they can make staff feel like they're "too stupid to ask what the abbreviation means. He recalled an instance where he noticed employees referring to him as JP" in a meeting, only to realize it was a nickname for himself. Patel views the use of non-standard acronyms as a barrier to inclusivity and participation in meetings. He believes that when staff feel like they need to be familiar with company-specific jargon to contribute, it can lead to them feeling left out or intimidated. The issue is not just about being able to understand what's being said, but also about the sense of belonging among new hires. Patel estimates that a significant portion of Cisco's workforce could leave due to feelings of isolation and exclusion caused by unnecessary acronyms. To put this into perspective, if 5% to 10% of workers leave the company each year, which is a conservative estimate considering the average attrition rate in the US was 13% between 2024 and 2025, it could mean around 9,000 new employees joining Cisco annually. Over three years, that would be approximately 27,000 new faces, making up nearly one-third of the company's workforce. New hires at Cisco have a steep learning curve when it comes to deciphering company-specific terminology used in meetings. Many struggle to ask for clarification on unfamiliar terms, feeling self-conscious about appearing uninformed or intrusive. As a result, they often remain silent and risk missing important information. This phenomenon is attributed to the widespread use of colloquial acronyms that are not universally understood within the company. The divide between those who know what these abbreviations mean and those who don't can lead to communication breakdowns and inefficient discussions. To address this issue, Cisco's leadership has introduced a policy allowing new hires to interrupt meetings if they feel the conversation is unclear or confusing. Cisco's leadership has acknowledged that meetings can sometimes be ineffective due to unclear communication. To address this issue, new hires are now allowed to interrupt meetings if they feel the conversation is confusing or unclear. This policy aims to prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page. Other companies have also implemented unique meeting cultures to foster effective communication. Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, has been known for his unconventional approach to meetings. Instead of using PowerPoint presentations, he requires attendees to read a six-page memo in silence before discussing its contents. This allows everyone to be informed and participate in elevated discussions. This approach is not the only unusual meeting culture in the corporate world. United Airlines' CEO, Scott Kirby, has implemented strict time limits for meetings, capping them at four hours per day. He encourages his staff to keep these sessions brief and conversational, with minimal use of slides or presentations. AT&T's John Stankey also emphasizes the importance of preparation before attending a meeting. He expects employees to come prepared with ideas to share or be ready to discuss topics without relying on slides or presentations. This approach aims to promote efficient and productive meetings that yield meaningful outcomes. These examples demonstrate that companies are experimenting with different approaches to improve the effectiveness of their meetings. By acknowledging potential communication barriers and implementing innovative solutions, organizations can create a more inclusive and productive work environment. Stanley Stankey, a prominent executive, emphasizes the importance of being prepared and engaged in meetings. He believes that simply observing without contributing is not enough, and instead, one should bring informed opinions to the table. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, shares similar expectations from his staff. According to him, when attending a meeting, he ensures that he has done all necessary readings beforehand, and expects the same level of preparation from others. If staff members fail to meet this expectation, Dimon will address them personally. Dimon also stresses the importance of maintaining focus during meetings, stating that using personal devices for non-meeting purposes is considered disrespectful. He makes it clear that he expects full attention from his team when they are in a meeting setting. --- Source: [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/11/11/ciscos-chief-jeetu-patel-terminate-meeting-over-acronyms-jeff-bezos-jamie-dimon-rules/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/jeetu-patel-does-not-tolerate-unnecessary-jargon-in-meetings/