Voyage of Discovery (phr).

by Graham Email

The outcome of a project which (in various combinations) is poorly researched, planned, or executed. As has been the case throughout recorded history, not all voyages of discovery have happy endings.

team player (phr).

by Graham Email

An empty, reflexive and perjorative slogan used by mediocre leaders to slander employees who raise valid objections to proposals, ideas, actions or strategy proposed by leaders, and refuse to back down when the objections are not addressed by the leaders. Usually deployed as a post-hoc explanation for the departure of the employee(s) as in "Fred/Mary/Joe/Linda left because he/she was not a team player"

results (n).

by Graham Email

A concept of corporate measurement, more honored in the breach than the observance, whereby employees are rewarded for their actual performance, instead of their claimed performance, somebody else's performance, and/or other irrelevant attributes such as affability, social affiliation, shared churches, shared golf club memberships etc.

God Motherhood and Apple Pie (acr).

by Graham Email

The overall tone and content of a leadership document, presentation or other form of communication, containing phrases that initially sound stirring and uplifting, but which in reality are culled from the Tired Cliché Dictionary. Examples are "world-class", "people-centered", "our employees are our #1 asset", "communicate, communicate, communicate" etc.

budget (n).

by Graham Email

A sum of money allocated to a project, subject to perpetual increase until the project delivers percieved results or is abandoned,.

argument (n).

by Graham Email

An old-fashioned process, involving the use of equally old-fashioned devices such as rhetoric, whereby an idea, proposition or proposal is fashioned into a compelling Case For Action by the careful use of supporting information, facts and justifications. This has fallen into disuse in most corporations.

amnesia (n).

by Graham Email

A condition (strangely temporary in many cases) whereby employees and leaders in corporations, and elected representatives and officials in government, are suddenly unable to remember important facts, details of conversations, decisions etc. when asked to recall them by investigators seeking to discover the origins and causes of malfeasance or unethical behaviour.

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