Everyday Office Jargon · Intern level

"Gatekeeper"

"Gatekeeper" means a person who controls access to someone or something, typically an assistant or other staff member who screens requests and decides what gets through.

Say this instead: decision-maker

How "Gatekeeper" shows up at work

Used by salespeople to explain why they cannot reach a decision-maker, and by consultants to describe the assistant they need to charm before the real meeting can happen. Often said with a mild sense of grievance.

Buzzword

Her assistant is a total gatekeeper, so getting on the calendar took three weeks.

Plain English

Her assistant screens everything carefully, so getting on the calendar took three weeks.

Corporate Rank: Intern · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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