If you cant dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.

You’ve probably sat through a meeting where someone talks so much, says so little, yet somehow leaves the room feeling like they just delivered a masterclass. That’s the magic of baffling with bullshit when brilliance is out of reach. It’s a skill many corporate men and women seem to have perfected. If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit. This phrase perfectly captures the essence of a certain breed of office professionals who thrive on noise rather than substance.

Meet Dave, a middle manager who has never missed a chance to fill the silence with an endless stream of words. Dave’s meetings are legendary, not for their insight, but for the sheer volume of his speech. He peppers his sentences with vague phrases like “moving forward,” “touch base,” and “circle back,” none of which mean anything concrete. Yet, because he speaks loudly and confidently, people nod along as if he just unveiled the next big strategy.

Dave’s secret weapon is schmoozing. He knows the right people, laughs at the right jokes, and throws in compliments that feel like sugar-coated fluff. When asked for specifics, he skillfully dodges with more jargon and a smile. His colleagues often leave meetings wondering what was actually decided, but Dave walks away with the credit for “leading the discussion.”

In many corporate environments, volume and confidence often overshadow clarity and truth. People mistake noise for knowledge. The louder and more assertive you are, the more likely others will assume you know what you’re talking about. This creates a culture where substance takes a back seat to style.

This approach also buys time. When you don’t have a solid answer, filling the space with words can prevent tough questions. It’s a shield against scrutiny. And since most meetings are packed with people trying to appear busy or agreeable, no one challenges the nonsense.

While Dave might seem like a winner, this style has hidden costs. Teams get confused, projects stall, and real problems remain unaddressed. Over time, trust erodes. People start tuning out, and the noise becomes background static. The company loses momentum because decisions are based on smoke and mirrors rather than facts.

To detect Dave, listen to that person who will use vague language that avoids specifics, repeats the same points without adding value, deflects when asked for details and pay attention to whether his audience is confused or disengaged. When you encounter a Dave, ask direct questions. Request examples, data, or clear next steps. If the answers remain fuzzy, call out the lack of clarity.

Unfortunately and frustratingly to the rest of us, the corporate world often rewards style over substance because it’s easier to measure who talks the most than who delivers the best results. Promotions and raises sometimes go to the loudest voices rather than the smartest thinkers. This creates a feedback loop where baffling with bullshit becomes a survival skill.

Imagine meetings where people speak only when they have something useful to say. Where silence is not feared but respected. Where clarity and honesty are valued over noise. Productivity would improve, decisions would be better, and respect would grow.

In both my personal and professional life, I have little patience for the likes of Dave. When clarity is missing, I ask questions, intentionally and persistently until I get the answers I need. In a professional environment, expectations are clear, and conduct should reflect that standard

We’ve all encountered one.....who’s your “Dave”?