The C-Suite’s Secret Dictionary: Words That Only Billionaires Use

Dear Best of LinkedIn Reader,

There’s a Language of Power—And If You’re Not Speaking It, You’re Already Behind

Money has a vocabulary.

Not the kind found in MBA textbooks or financial jargon thrown around in quarterly earnings calls. No—this is a coded language of the ultra-elite, spoken behind closed doors in the high-stakes boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, private equity firms, and offshore banking havens.

It’s a language of subtle power, quiet manipulation, and precise influence. A single word can open doors to billions—or shut them forever.

Most executives and entrepreneurs operate in the visible world of business. But the elite—the billionaires, kingmakers, and shadow players—operate in the invisible world, where access and leverage matter more than capital.

And to play in that world, you need to understand the words that move money, power, and influence.

Here’s a sneak peek into the billionaire lexicon—the phrases and terminology that separate those who control capital from those who simply earn it.

1. “Regulatory Arbitrage” (Translation: We Don’t Follow the Same Rules You Do)

If you think billionaires and corporations play by the same rules as everyone else, you’ve already lost.

Regulatory arbitrage is the billionaire’s cheat code—it refers to identifying jurisdictions where laws are looser, taxation is friendlier, and oversight is weaker.

Want an example?

• Uber and Airbnb: Neither company was legal when they launched. They intentionally bypassed existing regulations, forcing lawmakers to adapt after they had already dominated the market.
• Crypto Exchanges: FTX, Binance, and others operate in loosely regulated countries where financial watchdogs have little reach.
• Offshore Banking Havens: The ultra-wealthy don’t stash their money in the U.S.—they set up trusts in the Cook Islands, shell companies in the British Virgin Islands, and tax loopholes in the Cayman Islands.

The Takeaway

Regulatory arbitrage isn’t about breaking the law—it’s about choosing where the law is weakest.

2. “Controlled Burn” (Translation: We’re Burning Cash—On Purpose)

Most companies panic when they’re losing money.

Not billionaires.

A controlled burn is when a company intentionally loses millions (or billions) to kill competitors and dominate an industry.

Amazon did it for over a decade. Uber did it to destroy taxis. WeWork did it—badly.

When billionaires say “controlled burn,” what they really mean is:

• “We’re playing a long game. You can’t afford to keep up.”
• “We’re going to make this business unprofitable for everyone—except us.”

This is why small businesses can’t compete with VC-backed giants. They have unlimited capital, and they’re willing to bleed you dry before they start making money.

The Takeaway

If a billionaire-backed competitor enters your space and says they’re in a controlled burn—brace yourself.

3. “Whisper Number” (Translation: The Real Earnings Target That Wall Street Won’t Tell You)

Every quarter, companies announce earnings expectations.

But those numbers? They’re often a performance.

Behind the scenes, top hedge funds and billionaires trade on an entirely different set of expectations—the whisper number.

This is the real earnings projection, often shared through private channels before the official numbers hit the market. It’s why insiders always seem to know which stocks will pop or tank.

• If a company “beats” its earnings target but misses the whisper number? The stock tanks.
• If a company “misses” official earnings but beats the whisper number? It skyrockets.

The Takeaway

If you’re only watching public earnings reports, you’re already too late.

4. “Dead Cat Bounce” (Translation: This Is a Fake Recovery—Get Out Now)

When a stock crashes, sometimes it briefly rebounds before plummeting again.

Billionaires call this a dead cat bounce—because, as they say, even a dead cat will bounce if you drop it from high enough.

Smart investors use this term as a warning:

• Don’t mistake temporary gains for a true recovery.
• Don’t get trapped in a falling market.
• Don’t assume the worst is over—sometimes, it’s just beginning.

The Takeaway

If you hear a billionaire mention a dead cat bounce, they’re not buying. They’re running.

5. “Exit Liquidity” (Translation: Someone Has to Be the Sucker—It’s Not Going to Be Us)

This is one of the dirtiest secrets in finance.

When billionaires want to cash out of a bad investment, they need someone to buy in at the top.

That someone? Retail investors.

Exit liquidity is when the smart money gets out, while the dumb money gets in. It happens in:

• Pump-and-dump crypto schemes.
• Overhyped IPOs that insiders sell the moment the stock goes public.
• Real estate bubbles where wealthy investors offload overpriced properties to uninformed buyers.

The Takeaway

If mainstream media is hyping an investment, and billionaires are quietly selling—you are the exit liquidity.

The Final Word: Billionaires Speak a Different Language—Are You Listening?

Words shape reality.

The ultra-wealthy don’t just use different strategies—they use a different vocabulary to conceal and execute their power moves.

Understanding these phrases is like learning the language of the 1%. It’s the difference between:

• Knowing the game vs. being played by it.
• Reading between the lines vs. falling for PR spin.
• Being an insider vs. being someone’s exit liquidity.

Now you know.

So next time you hear a CEO talk about regulatory arbitrage, controlled burns, or exit liquidity, you won’t be fooled.

You’ll understand exactly what’s happening—and what they aren’t saying.

Most executives speak the language of business. Billionaires speak the language of power.

It’s not about having more money—it’s about knowing how to move money, how to control markets, and how to stay ten steps ahead while everyone else scrambles to keep up.

If you don’t know the whisper number, you’re playing with fake data. If you don’t understand exit liquidity, you might be the sucker at the table. And if you’ve never used regulatory arbitrage, you’re playing by rules that don’t apply to the ultra-wealthy.

This isn’t just a new way of thinking—it’s a new way of winning.

Start listening. Start decoding.

Because in this game, the words you don’t know can cost you billions.

Until next time.

Stay well. Swim strong.

Warmly,

David

Mentor, Writer, and Faithful Servant of God

P.S. ?????? If you don’t know who I am, my name is David Vogel, retired CEO turned LinkedIn influencer and Founder of the Church of Unity Society. Six mornings a week Live at 7 AM, I preach to the C-suite, igniting their spirits with the power of God. As the publisher of Mindful Ethics, the unapologetic voice of ethics on LinkedIn, I challenge leaders to elevate their game, lead with heart, and redefine what it means to live with purpose.

P. P. S. As I recently retired as CEO of Project SunRize, I remain a trusted consigliere to my son, Evan, who now leads the company with the same dedication to excellence. Project SunRize is proudly donating 3% of all profits from commercial solar construction to The Church of Unity and 3% to The Council For Unity.

JUST REMEMBER—100% of the cost for most solar energy systems can be covered by federal benefits (in most, but not all cases)!

Let Project SunRize prove to you it’s free!

Helping Project SunRize helps my church and also helps prevent violence in New York City Schools (via Council For Unity). If you know anyone who’s considering going solar, refer them to Project SunRize.

You’ll get a shark-sized royalty for your referral!

DM me, and I’ll personally make sure your message reaches the right person at SunRize.

Let’s build a brighter future, together!

One More Thing . . .

?? Cut Costs & Boost Profits with Disruptive Energy Storage Pricing!

Investing in solar is smart—but pairing it with battery storage is a game-changer for your bottom line. At Project SunRize, we’re delivering premium Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at truly disruptive prices, slashing costs while maximizing your energy savings.

? Reduce Peak Demand Charges – Cut utility costs by storing excess solar power.

? Increase Energy Independence – Protect your business from outages and grid instability.

? Stack Incentives & Tax Credits – Take advantage of government and other rebates that can cover up to 70% to 100% of your system cost.

?? THE BIGGEST LOOPHOLE IN SOLAR STORAGE: GET PAID TO UPGRADE Innovation isn’t just a word—it’s profit waiting to be claimed. And for business owners, this might be the biggest no-brainer investment in energy storage history.

For example here is what’s happening right now in California:A hotel needed backup power. They were offered a 418 kWh battery at a disruptively low wholesale price—$210K (not a price that will last). Then the loophole kicked in.

? 40% Federal Tax Credit – (Energy Community Bonus ITC)

? California’s SGIP Program – MASSIVE rebates covering a chunk of the cost

? TCJA Bonus Depreciation – Immediate write-off and tax benefits

?? Final Breakdown:?? Battery cost: $210K??

Total incentives: $219K??

Net profit: $9,000 + a FREE battery worth over $300K at retail.

Yes, you read that right. FREE MONEY + FREE ASSET.

And here’s the kicker: This wholesale pricing isn’t permanent. Once demand spikes, the deal vanishes. And so do the incentives. The window is closing. The opportunity is now.

?? DM me and I will make sure the right person circles back to you

?? Project SunRize BESS – Disruptively Priced. Government-Backed. Profit-Driven.

?? Why overpay for storage when you can get industry-leading BESS at a fraction of the price? Let’s talk about how Project SunRize can supercharge your solar ROI.

?? Message me with a DM or [email protected] to learn more!

https://sunrize.green/

? Published by: David Vogel, in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire