Translating from Exec-ish to English

Dont execs speak funny? Their sentences don't always make sense. They have a strange choice of words. It's because they're not speaking the same language as you and I.

As Project Managers, we need to understand their language, interpret it and translate it to our project teams. Like we have to translate business requirements to the technology teams, we also have to translate Exec language to our project teams.

I mean this genuinely. Execs have got good at nuance, at suggestion. They, the good ones at least, are more likely to leave breadcrumbs for you to change your behavior. That way it feels like your choice and it's more likely to stick.

They're also used to talking to their peers. In a room full of status, it's uncommon to hear someone be directive. That bristles with this audience. The more execs are used to talking to this audience, the more familiar they will get with being less directive.

Finally, execs are used to talking to large audiences. They have a message to give and they want it to land, be understood, and be as effective as possible to as much of the audience as possible. That too changes the words they use. What might be the most effective way to tell you something, might be the least effective way to tell someone else. So they take a line that is most likely to work for most.

That means to understand what the execs really mean, you have to translate.

Duo Lingo for Exec-ish

The language execs speak is what i call Exec-ish. It's like English. It uses a lot of the same words. But the meanings are often nuanced and different.

Do you think you heard a simple throw away sentence with little meaning? Think again. Execs are short of time and are generally efficient with their words. That sentence was there for a reason and had meaning.

Do you think you were being asked a question? Think again. Execs are good at telling you their opinion hidden into a question. They want you to think about your position and open your mind to an alternative. Questions are often strong indications that you need to do something different.

Do you think they were quiet because they had nothing to say, or no interest? Think again. Execs know that you've put time and effort into your preparation for this meeting. If they genuinely have nothing to say, they will still say thank you because they know your perception of them is important to your motivation and results. So if they're silent and saying nothing, something is seriously wrong. Stop. Don't fill the silence.

Searching for meaning

Of course, I am stereotyping and there will be instances where this is incorrect. But as with all stereotypes, there's an element of truth on it too. It is how a large part of a certain population think. That's where the stereotype came from.

To help you get started, here's a useful, slightly tongue-in-cheek translation guide from Exec-ish to English.

"Do you think we've…" Means - we haven't

"I've seen this before" Means - go and find the people who did this before and make sure you don't make the same mistake.

"How do you think this will impact X…" Means - I'm scared of the impact this will have on X and we need to think more about it

"Who have you talked to about this…" Means - I have someone in mind that you need to consult about this

"Let's look at this from a different angle" Means - you've got this all wrong

"Yes, but…" Means - No, do this instead

"Yes, and" Means - maybe, but do my thing first

"Is that going to solve the problem" Means - that's not going to solve the problem

Contribute to the Exec-ish to English dictionary by adding your own translations in the comments.