HR & People Jargon · Vice President level

"Lean in"

"Lean in" means to engage more fully or commit more deeply to a challenge, opportunity, or role, rather than pulling back.

Say this instead: commit more

How "Lean in" shows up at work

Peaked around 2013 and has been declining ever since, though it still surfaces in HR decks and performance reviews. Often means "work harder" dressed up as empowerment advice.

Buzzword

This is a big opportunity and I want you to really lean in.

Plain English

This is a big opportunity and I want you to really commit.

Corporate Rank: Vice President  ·  Category: HR & People Jargon

Stop sounding like the buzzword.

Buzzkill highlights "Lean in" and 634 other buzzwords in Gmail and LinkedIn, and rewrites them to plain English in one click. Free to try, 100% local.

Add to Chrome, free

More HR & People Jargon: A-player · Bring your whole self to work · Constructive feedback · Culture add · Culture fit · Do more with less

All HR & People Jargon · The full library · What's your Corporate Rank?