Corporate buzzwords

Remember that a lot of work culture is highly dependent by country. Try to reflect that somehow, maybe by adding different sections for countries or something?

Or at least including what country/ies use the phrase for that meaning --Fire Eider (talk) 18:16, 24 August 2022 (UTC)

All hands on deck

Alternative use-case — could be industry dependant?

Something came up that was unexpected and/or badly planned/underestimated, and now everybody needs to scramble to get the thing done.

As per my last e-mail

Professional way of growling: "You should have paid attention, I said this already!"

And it's one reason why people sometimes e-mail instead of talking: they want a "paper trail" of what they actually said. For example, they don't want to be accused of not having anticipated what some may consider obvious questions.

Bottom line

Usually phrased as "the bottom line is _____."

Used to highlight the importance of some topic or task. For example, "the bottom line is that the mailbox needs to be checked everyday so that we don't miss a package."

Do you need me to re-forward the e-mail?

Similar to "as per my last e-mail."

If you interpret it in a kind, helpful way, do not be fooled; it is extremely passive-aggressive.

This is said as a cue to find the e-mail in question as quickly as possible.

Friendly reminder

If they have to say it's "friendly"... it's not. It's a reminder with a strong hint of consequences if it's not followed.

Sometimes management sends something like this to a whole group when only one person is doing something management doesn't want, instead of just talking to that one person. They're hoping the one person will take a hint, realize it's them, and change. It often doesn't work, but management does this because they just don't feel like confronting the problem.

Let's take this offline

This is typically said in business group/meetings and means something similar to "we're in a meeting right now/talking about a different topic right now, and this discussion is better had at a different time or with different people."

Team player

[Employee] is a "real team player" may be code for they are very agreeable or a people-pleaser, and this may or may not indicate that this person tends to support the perspectives of others rather than advocating for their own stances. This phrase may also be used sarcastically to imply that the individual is perceived as being the opposite of a "team player," as in they might be viewed as argumentative, contrarian, selfish, or unsupportive of colleagues (just because someone perceives this to be the case about someone does not mean that it is true). When a job application states that they are looking for a "team player," this may mean that they are looking for someone who will "stick to the status quo."

Think out of the box

Usually asked as part of a request to complete a project, such as: "I want you to think outside of the box."

If you are told this at the beginning of a task or project, then it's (*usually) meant in a neutral way to say that they want something that you wouldn't normally do. For example, if you would create a slideshow to present information at a meeting, then they would want you to do something different, like a brochure.

• If you have developed a habit or a reputation in your company of doing the same thing over and over again for a project/task, then this may be a slightly passive-aggressive way of telling you to do something different "for once."

If you are told this in the middle of a task or project, especially after you executed the project/task, then this means that they want it to be done in a different way, and is usually passive-aggressive. You can ask for clarification on what that means, but they might just tell you something along the lines of: "We want it to look different than it normally would." Which is about as helpful as saying nothing at all.

Touching base

Can be used in two situations (that I'm aware of).

First, can be used to notify you of a task or project (that you may have been previously told about), and is just used as an introduction to that notification. Ex. "Hey _____, just touching base with you about that project I had briefly talked to you about last week."

Second, can be used to check up on your progress of a task or project. Can be used in a neutral way or in a negative way (negative way only if you aren't fitting the timeline they had in their head for this task or project, or the timeline you were told). "Hey, just touching base on this task that I gave you, how much progress have you made?"

We are family

Amotto that forgot the words "highly dysfunctional".

We are. A highly dysfunctional family.

If a company officer uses the words, "we are family", they don't really mean it.

Ignore the phrase. Do not respond. Just know that the company will use you in the guise of this fake family.

Welcome thoughts

Usually used as part of a phrase, such as "We welcome any thoughts you may have on this topic."

Depending on office culture, this may be meant as ANY thoughts on it are welcome, even negative thoughts, such as "this isn't a good idea." Or, it can meant as only POSITIVE thoughts on it are welcome, such as: "This looks great! I think if we edit this part a little here, it would be absolutely perfect!"

If you are in a stereotypical office environment, then it's more likely than not the second option. Just understand that they likely don't want your actual thoughts on it; they only want you to praise them for work that likely isn't theirs.