Everyday Office Jargon · Executive level

"Pot calling the kettle black"

"Pot calling the kettle black" means accusing someone else of a fault that you are equally guilty of yourself.

Say this instead: accusing someone of what you do yourself

How "Pot calling the kettle black" shows up at work

Executives say this in one-on-ones when a manager complains about a peer who behaves exactly like that manager. It lands as folksy wisdom but functions as a redirect away from the original complaint.

Buzzword

Honestly, that's a bit pot calling the kettle black given our own record.

Plain English

Honestly, that criticism applies equally to us given our own record.

Corporate Rank: Executive · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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