Phrase library
What the phrases actually mean, when they land, and when they backfire. Ready to practice? Start a drill.
Intern level
The phrases you hear in your first week.
Circle backTalk about it later. Possibly never.Per my last emailYou didn't read what I already sent you.Loop inAdd someone to the conversation, usually so it becomes their problem too.BandwidthTime or energy. Usually the lack of it.Take this offlineStop arguing about this in front of everyone.Quick syncA meeting that will not be quick.Action itemsThe things someone actually has to do after this meeting.By EODToday, before whenever the person asking stops working, which is not when you stop working.On my radarI know it exists. I have not started it.Low-hanging fruitThe easy stuff we should have done already.
Manager level
Middle-management idiom. Used completely without irony.
Move the needleMake a difference anyone will actually notice.Put a pin in itPause this, and I'm hoping you forget about it.Deep diveActually look at the details this time.Level setMake sure everyone has the same information before we argue.Heavy liftA lot of work. Often more than anyone wants to admit.Scope creepThe project keeps growing and nobody changed the deadline.Swim laneYour job, as opposed to my job. Stay in it.Run it up the flagpoleAsk someone more important if this is okay.Quick winSomething small we can finish fast so we look productive.SocializeShow the idea to people one by one before the meeting, so nobody fights it in the meeting.
Executive level
Executive fog. Say a lot, commit to nothing.
Boil the oceanTry to do everything at once and finish nothing.North starThe one goal we say guides every decision, until it's inconvenient.Table stakesThe bare minimum. Not something to celebrate.HeadwindsThings are going badly and it's not our fault.OptionalityWe don't want to decide yet.30,000-foot viewThe summary, because I did not read the details.Right-sizeCut. Usually people.CadenceHow often we have this meeting. Too often.Lift and shiftMove the old mess somewhere new without fixing it.Double-click on thatTell me more. Said by someone who wants to sound like they use software.