When I started my first full-time job after college, I often felt like my more experienced colleagues were speaking a different language; cliches were abundant, metaphors and similes tossed around right and left (see what I did there?), and some words and phrases seemed made up.
To fully illustrate my point, watch this video and tell me you do not feel the same way.
Fast forward four years: I’m now at my third company and have noticed a trend of similar jargon used at each, despite company size and industry. Based on my experience, here’s a collection of common business phrases every young professional should know.
1. Holistic approach/strategy.
Definition: No, not like a holistic doctor. Rather, an approach or strategy that is all-encompassing; taking something into account in its entirety.
Example: “We’ll need to develop a holistic approach before kicking off this project.”
2. Form and storm.
Definition: The stages a team goes through before they take over the world. First, they form with energy and excitement about the future. Then, you guessed it, they storm. This leads to friction and misunderstanding, due to different experiences, training and assumptions of team members. After forming and storming, the team normalizes and begins to perform. (Note: The long version is form-storm-norm-perform, but I’ve rarely heard it referred to that way.)
Example: “After we form and storm, we expect to complete the project in three months.”
3. Learn-in.
Definition: Not putting all your eggs in one basket as you implement a new procedure, launch a new project, kick off a new initiative, etc. Rather, figuring something out as you go along and adjusting accordingly.
Example: “We’re going to learn-in to these new changes and adjust our approach as new opportunities present themselves.”
4. C Suite.
Definition: A slang term that collectively refers to a company’s top dawgs, such as CEO, COO, CFO, CMO, CAO, etc.
Example: “I have to present my advertising strategy to the C Suite in an hour!” 
5. High-level.
Definition: Focusing on generalities, rather than small details.
Example: “Give me a high-level overview on what this project will accomplish.”
6. Fully baked/partially baked/not baked.
Definition: How complete or developed an idea, plan, or action is. Just like bread!
Example: “My communication plan for the product launch isn’t fully baked yet. I’ll let you know when I have narrowed down the tactics.”
7. In-flight.
Definition: Not talking about airplanes here, folks. Rather, something that has been started or is in progress.
Example: “I appreciate your feedback, but our rebrand is already in-flight.”
8. Working in silos
Definition: Being in Wisconsin, you may think I’m talking about farms. But, surprisingly, I’m not! This phrase refers to feeling like your work is disconnected from other departments or individuals.
Example: “We need to stop working in silos and communicate better with each other leading up to the campaign kickoff.”
9. Synergies
Definition: The commonalities between certain projects, groups, or workstreams.
Example: “The marketing and communications groups had substantial synergies, so they worked together to develop a cohesive commercialization strategy.”
10. Take it offline
Definition: A way to say “let’s continue this discussion in private, following this meeting.”
Example: “We’re going down a rabbit hole with this discussion, Bob. Let’s take it offline.”
So, there you have it. Now, let’s take our high-level synergies offline.
