We’ve all been in meetings or have sent/received emails where the words sound important…but somehow nothing actually gets done.
Phrases get tossed around like everyone knows what they mean. But instead of creating clarity, they often do the opposite and confuse decisions, delay action, or leave people guessing what’s really expected.
And to be fair, most of us have said at least one of these common workplace phrases that are kind of annoying…maybe even in the last few days!
So, in the spirit of clearer communication (and a little fun), here are a few phrases we’d happily retire, along with what they usually mean.
Here’s 8 Common Workplace Phrases That Create Confusion
1.“Let’s circle back.”
What it sounds like: We have a plan to revisit this thoughtfully.
What it usually means: I don’t want to decide this right now or I’m a little confused about the details.
What to say instead: “Can we set a time or date to talk about this topic again?”
2.“Let’s all get on the same page.”
What it sounds like: Everyone agrees to work towards a common goal.
What it usually means: I really want you to agree with me on this.
What to say instead: “Is everyone clear on the project goal and your responsibilities?”
3.“Just looping you in.”
What it sounds like: Helpful awareness.
What it usually means: You’re now part of this whether you like it or not.
What to say instead: “Just looping you in.” Look- the reality is this happens with projects. Sometimes people just need to know what’s going on. May as well throw some helpful awareness in there!
4.“I’m Including [Name] for visibility.”
What it sounds like: Just keeping everyone informed.
What it usually means: I’m tattling on you.
What to say instead: Don’t. If someone needs to be in on a project, copy them on an email and/or greet them in the intro. Be transparent and don’t make excuses about who you include.
5.“Let’s table this for now.”
What it sounds like: We’ll revisit this later.
What it usually means: This isn’t a priority, but I don’t want to hurt your feelings.
What to say instead: “How does this issue fit into our goals that we’re working on right now?”
6.“Per my last email…”
What it sounds like: A polite follow-up/redirect.
What it usually means: I already answered this, so go read the email.
What to say instead: Forward the email or copy and paste it into a new one. You know how noisy it is out there and things get buried. People aren’t trying to sabotage you, they just need a reminder or a recap sometimes. Related phrase “As I said…” Run this through the translator and it’ll spit out “Hey. Didn’t you hear me the FIRST time?”
7.“It is what it is.”
What it sounds like: Gobbledegook.
What it usually means: NOTHING.
What to say instead: Literally ANYTHING! C’mon people. You work for a living. You have command of your language. Use your words and explain what you think it is.
8.“Out of pocket.”
What it sounds like: “I was just upsized from miniature me and now I am FREE!”
What it usually means: Not available.
What to say instead: When did we go from being out of the office to out of a pocket? We get it, it’s cute, it’s a little creative (and we’re all for that), but it’s also a little weird.
This one makes us think of the movie Downsizing.
Why This Matters
Did you notice anything about what to say instead? They are mostly questions. The point is to move the conversation along or figure out what to do with your project or topic by discussion and ultimately agreement. Keep things rolling by asking a question that helps the group come to an end point.
If you’re reading this and realizing your communication (or marketing) might not be as clear as it could be, you’re not alone. And that’s exactly why we created a simple guide, “Do I Need a Marketing Person?” - to help you step back, assess what’s working, and figure out what kind of support (if any) actually makes sense for your business.
We had fun putting this list together and we know we didn’t cover them all.
If there’s a phrase you’d happily retire from your workplace vocabulary, we’d love to hear it. Let us know in the comments.
And if this gets you thinking about your own conversations, that’s a good thing.
At The Brandstalk, we help small businesses and nonprofits bring clarity to their marketing. From your website to your social media and everything in between, so your message is easy to understand and your marketing actually works.
If you’re ready to simplify your message and make it easier for customers or donors to take the next step, we’d love to help. Give The Brandstalk a call and let’s grow something together.
Is your marketing working? is it enough? And should you still be doing it yourself?
With everything else you're juggling as a small business owner or nonprofit leader, it’s easy for marketing to slip to the bottom of the to-do list. This quick 9-minute decision guide helps small business owners figure out whether it's time to bring in marketing support (or not).
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