Everyday Office Jargon · Managing Director level

"Elephant in the Room"

"Elephant in the Room" means an obvious problem or uncomfortable issue that everyone is aware of but no one is willing to bring up.

Say this instead: the obvious problem

How "Elephant in the Room" shows up at work

Shows up in quarterly reviews and board presentations, usually introduced by the most senior person once it becomes clear no one else will. Naming it rarely leads to addressing it, but it does feel like progress.

Buzzword

Let's address the elephant in the room: our churn rate has been climbing for six months.

Plain English

Let's talk about the thing we have all been avoiding: churn has been climbing for six months.

Corporate Rank: Managing Director · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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