What TikTok's Favorite Coworker Chit Can Teach Us About Workplace Communication

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, odds are you’ve encountered “Chit,” the awkward office coworker whose hilariously absurd behaviors have taken the platform by storm. Played by improv comedian Jay Renshaw, Chit has become TikTok’s unofficial mascot for workplace miscommunications, thanks to viral sketches like the infamous “Do it lady!” and “is there a black purse in here” moments. While Chit views himself as a helpful coworker who is productive and valuable, in reality, we aren’t quite sure what he does at his job. Though his antics might leave us laughing, it’s worth pondering a not-so-funny truth in all of this: miscommunication in the workplace isn’t just awkward—it’s incredibly costly to businesses. 

Miscommunication: The Silent Productivity Killer 

Let’s begin with the facts. Miscommunication in workplaces, especially between managers and their teams, can have profound consequences. When people don’t know what’s expected, things slip through the cracks. Deadlines get missed, trust breaks down, and your team spends more time guessing than doing. 

• Productivity Loss: According to the 2022 State of Business Communication report, businesses lose an average of 7.47 hours per employee each week due to poor communication—equating to over 18% of total payroll costs. 

  
  

• Higher Turnover Rates: If employees consistently feel uncertain about their responsibilities or receive conflicting directions, frustration builds, often resulting in higher attrition rates—another costly impact on organizations. 

  
  

• Employee Morale: Miscommunication creates confusion, fosters resentment, and undermines trust between managers and employees. Teams want clear direction and acknowledgment. 

Enter Chit: TikTok’s Miscommunication Icon 

This is where Chit’s comedic genius comes in. In Jay Renshaw’s skits, Chit embodies the awkwardness of workplace miscommunications, distilling them into absurd antics that resonate with millions. Take the viral “Do it lady!” moment: Chit writes that on a birthday card, leaving Janice completely baffled. While the ridiculousness makes us laugh, because he did make it catchy with his other co-workers, it also mimics how a leader can give unclear or unhelpful directives that leave employees scratching their heads. 

Chit’s “black purse” sketch captures another brand of miscommunication—over-sharing details without prioritizing clarity. In the skit, Chit rambles incoherently about a coworker’s accessory, leaving everyone confused and unable to follow the thread of thought. It mirrors how managers can cloud expectations by focusing on irrelevant or unclear details or feedback, causing confusion rather than alignment.  

Miscommunication Lessons From Chit 

Chit’s antics might be over the top, but the situations feel familiar. Behind the laughs are real lessons for managers about what not to do and how to communicate more clearly. Here are a few takeaways to keep in mind: 

1. Be Clear, Not Cryptic 

Whether delegating tasks or setting priorities, clarity is everything. Employees thrive when they understand their responsibilities and goals. Use specific language to eliminate confusion and prevent costly mistakes. 

2. Less Rambling, More Direction 

Real-world managers can over-complicate feedback or provide unnecessary details during instructions. Adopt concise communication strategies and just tell them! Tell them what they need to know, what you think might upset or hurt them, but no matter what, tell them.  Trust us, it will save you time and money. 

3. Rely on Active Listening 

One thing Chit does that feels familiar is those awkward, half-hearted responses like “Mhm” or “Yeah” that shut conversations down. When managers do the same, skipping over questions or giving vague answers, it leaves people stuck and frustrated. Real leadership means listening to understand, not just to respond. Active listening builds trust and keeps work moving forward. 

The Financial Toll of Chit-Style Miscommunication 

Picture Chit running your team for a day. It might get a laugh, but pretty quickly things would pile up unfinished because no one knows what they are supposed to do. Deadlines would get missed. People would start wondering if their work even matters. Morale would drop, productivity would stall, and good employees might start looking for the door. Now imagine that happening across your whole organization. That is what miscommunication really costs. 

Turning Miscommunication into Comedy—and Solutions 

One reason Chit resonates is that his flaws are uncomfortably familiar yet harmless in their absurdity. His antics remind us of the times we felt lost or unwittingly created confusion in our own workplaces—except TikTok lets us laugh about it instead of stew over it. 

For managers looking to bridge communication gaps, humor can actually be a powerful tool. Open discussions about challenges, mixed with a little levity, create safe spaces to address miscommunication patterns and improve collaboration. Who knows, referencing Chit’s skits in team workshops might even spark insight as employees laugh off relatable dysfunctions before tackling solutions. 

Chit’s hilarious workplace miscommunications highlight the awkwardness we’ve all experienced—but they also underline the urgency of addressing communication breakdowns in organizations. For managers, the takeaway is clear: focus on clarity, succinctness, and active listening. Laughter might be the best medicine for TikTok, but in the workplace, strong communication is the remedy that keeps productivity, morale, and costs in check. 

Chit may make us laugh on TikTok, but in real life? Clear communication keeps things moving forward. 

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Most teams struggle with communication at some point, it’s why PCG teaches leaders how to keep it simple, clear, and human. Don’t let “Chit” happen in your workplace.