Presenting Confidently and Clearly in a Non-native Language
by Matt Abrahams
For most of us, presenting confidently and clearly in our native language is hard enough, but communicating in another language is marked by unique challenges and opportunities for growth. What follows is specific advice that can help all non-native speakers…
Matt's favorite ELL podcasts
Bob McCann
12/31/2024
exaggerate (verb)
Definition: to make something seem bigger, better, or worse than it really is
Example from the episode: “And I think sometimes we exaggerate or over emphasize the similarities and or differences in a generation.”
Example sentence: “Can you stop exaggerating about your achievements?”
initiative (noun)
Definition: a specific plan or project intended to address a problem or improve a situation
Example from the episode: “And I think these type of initiatives are really useful, and they don't really cost much money in many cases, right?”
Example sentence: “The school launched a new initiative for recycling.”
accommodative (adjective)
Definition: being helpful and willing to adjust to the needs or wishes of others
Example from the episode: “So for example, you may be over accommodative, you may be under accommodative.”
Example sentence: “The manager was very accommodative to our requests.”
bucket out (idiom)
Definition: to remove or clear something from a container or place, like taking water out of a bucket
Example from the episode: “Years ago, I started looking at age discrimination cases, and we started to bucket out different types of language that we found utilized in age discrimination cases.”
Example sentence: “She decided to bucket out the old leaves from the garden.”
Toasts
12/20/2024
tantalize (verb)
Definition: to excite someone’s curiosity or interest
Example from the episode: “I'd like to share the audio chapter from my latest book, Think Faster Talk Smarter, where I provide guidance on how to deliver toasts that tantalize and tributes that treat our honorees well.”
Example sentence: “The promise of a promotion tantalized him to work harder.”
tribute (noun)
Definition: something given or done to show respect, honor, or admiration for someone or something
Example from the episode: “We must avoid giving tributes that put us and our honorees in a bad light.”
Example sentence: “They made a tribute to honor their beloved teacher.”
tangible (adjective)
Definition: can be seen, touched, or physically measured
Example from the episode: “We can think of toasts, tributes and introductions as gifts we bestow on our audience and the people or groups we are acknowledging just as we consider what kinds of tangible gifts people might like, want or need.”
Example sentence: “They need tangible evidence to support their claims.”
to the point (idiom)
Definition: being clear and direct, without adding extra information or unnecessary details
Example from the episode: “Tip number one: Be brief and to the point.”
Priya Parker
12/17/2024
democratize (verb)
Definition: to make something available to everyone and give them a say in how it works
Example from the episode: “And facilitators and communication experts and sociologists have thought about questions like this for years, but what the pandemic did is it democratized these questions and made everyone have to actually ask, how do we coordinate so that we can be efficient?”
Example sentence: “This project will help democratize information.”
intent (noun)
Definition: a purpose or goal behind what someone wants to do
Example from the episode: “So intentionality is the first step to actually pause and ask and to look what is happening here, and what is my intent, and how do we begin to make something anew?”
Example sentence: “They showed clear intent to finish the project.”
vague (adjective)
Definition: not clear or easy to understand
Example from the episode: “Just the social contract between a meeting, which is sort of a vague term, versus a workshop, right?”
Example sentence: “She gave a vague answer to my question.”
roll somebody’s sleeves up (idiom)
Definition: to get ready to work hard or tackle a task
Example from the episode: “You're already gonna roll your sleeves up.”
Example sentence: “When the deadline approached, everyone rolled their sleeves up.”
Rethink
12/10/2024
simmer (verb)
Definition: to keep feelings or ideas hidden under the surface, building up slowly without bubbling over
Example from the episode: “And often many of these conflicts, especially when it comes to family and friends, are things that have been simmering and existing for a long while.”
Example sentence: “Her anger began to simmer beneath the surface.”
autopilot (noun)
Definition: doing things automatically without thinking much about them
Example from the episode: “You can't just be on autopilot.”
Example sentence: “She worked on autopilot while listening to music.”
frustrated (adjective)
Definition: feeling upset or annoyed because something is not going the way you want it to
Example from the episode: “Sometimes we're so frustrated we just want change, but we're not sure what that change is.”
Example sentence: “She felt frustrated when her computer crashed.”
ring true (idiom)
Definition: something sounds correct or feels real and believable
Example from the episode: “In this “Rethinks: Best of” episode, we revisit advice from 2021 that still rings true today.”
Example sentence: “His story didn't ring true; it seemed too exaggerated.”
Hilary Price
12/3/2024
incite (verb)
Definition: to encourage or stir up someone to take action, often in a strong or dangerous way
Example from the episode: “Many of us have to title our presentations, our meetings, our stories, and think of a title that builds curiosity and incites somebody to want to learn more, and perhaps a title that shares what's to come.”
Example sentence: “His goal was to incite change and inspire the community to act.”
stake (noun)
Definition: something valuable or important that is at risk or being affected, like your chances of winning a game
Example from the episode: “There has to be change, and there has to be surprise, and there also has to be stakes.”
Example sentence: “She felt a personal stake in the outcome of the election.”
overt (adjective)
Definition: open and clear, not hidden or secret
Example from the episode: “I think what's fascinating is we finally found something that AI can't do well, and what humans need to do well, which is to bring in all the implied information that isn't just overt.”
Example sentence: “The team showed overt enthusiasm during the game.”
start with the end in mind (idiom)
Definition: to think about your goal or what you want to achieve before you begin a task or project
Example from the episode: “So it sounds like you start with the end in mind—the result you want: the gag.
Example sentence: “It's helpful to start with the end in mind when organizing a project.”
Marshall Goldsmith
12/3/2024
conflate (verb)
Definition: to combine two or more things into one, often confusing them together.
Example from the episode: “We conflate the two and what I hear you saying is it leads us down a path that will never get us to that goal of happiness.”
Example sentence: “Try not to conflate personal feelings with professional decisions.”
ethos (noun)
Definition: the set of beliefs or values that guide a person, group, or culture
Example from the episode: “The entire Western ethos is you will be happy when you may have seen this art form.”
Example sentence: “The school’s ethos promotes inclusivity and respect.”
linear (adjective)
Definition: following a straight path or a clear, logical sequence, like a line
Example from the episode: “Have a clear linear thought pattern that people can follow and if you have about 20 different things to cover, do it in two different meetings.”
Example sentence: “Learning isn't always a linear process.”
fall victim to (idiom)
Definition: to be hurt, damaged, or affected by something bad, like catching a cold
Example from the episode: “So perspective shifting is important and it means that we have to think about what's important for us and not necessarily just fall victim to what we think is what we're supposed to be doing.”
Example sentence: “She didn't want to fall victim to scams.”
Storytelling Pt. 1
11/26/2024
spoonfeed (verb)
Definition: to provide information or help in a very simple and easy way, so someone doesn't have to think much for themselves
Example from the episode: “And also not spoonfeed your reader because the joy of a cartoon, it's interactive.”
Example sentence: “Teachers should not spoonfeed students all the answers.”
narrative (noun)
Definition: a story or account of events, whether real or imagined
Example from the episode: “So you have a legal case that you build into that narrative.”
Example sentence: “It's important to build emotions into the narrative for impact.”
disjointed (adjective)
Definition: not connected or easy to understand
Example from the episode: “So when people hear the evidence, they get a context to associate with these disjointed facts they're hearing in the course of a trial.”
Example sentence: “His speech was disjointed and hard to follow.”
fall flat (idiom)
Definition: to fail completely or to not have the desired effect, especially when trying to be impressive or funny
Example from the episode: “A story will fall flat if it doesn't have a targeted audience.”
Example sentence: “His joke fell flat and no one laughed.”
Storytelling Pt. 2
11/26/2024
rewire (verb)
Definition: to change or reorganize the way something works, often by fixing or replacing its connections
Example from the episode: “So it's an example on neuroplasticity and how easy it is to rewire the brain very quickly.”
Example sentence: “You should rewire that connection for safety.”
misdirection (noun)
Definition: a way of guiding someone to focus on the wrong thing, often to trick or confuse them
Example from the episode: “Alternatively, the non-linear route, which involves the misdirection, attention, focus, et cetera, and emotion is where I might go, Hey Matt, what's your favorite card?”
Example sentence: “The magician used misdirection to trick the audience.”
baffling (adjective)
Definition: something that is confusing or hard to understand
Example from the episode: “And that might be baffling.”
Example sentence: “His sudden disappearance was truly baffling.”
out on the town (idiom)
Definition: going out for fun or entertainment, usually in a city or lively area
Example from the episode: “For example, helping you find the perfect fragrance for when you are out on the town and trying to find a boyfriend, and I'm Sir Candleman your fragrance curator.”
Example sentence: “We were out on the town last night having fun.”
Matt Abrahams
11/19/2024
revert (verb)
Definition: to go back to a previous state or condition
Example from the episode: “It's topics that you could talk about with anyone, which is why we all revert to talking about the weather or ‘How are you?’”
Example sentence: “He will revert to his old habits.”
pyramid (noun)
Definition: a shape with a flat base and triangular sides that meet at a point on top
Example from the episode: “It can be helpful to think about a topic pyramid, and at the bottom of this pyramid is where small talk lives.”
Example sentence: “We used a pyramid structure for our presentation.”
mundane (adjective)
Definition: ordinary or just everyday, not special or exciting
Example from the episode: “I think it's this trodden ground that can be very mundane, but you have to do it.”
Example sentence: “She found her daily routine quite mundane.”
on the tip of somebody’s tongue (idiom)
Definition: a person knows something but can't quite remember it at the moment
Example from the episode: “So that when you are together, it's right on the tip of your tongue to say, like, ‘Oh, how's your dad doing these days?’”
Example sentence: “Her name is on the tip of my tongue, but I can't remember it.”
Matt Dicks
11/12/2024
embody (verb)
Definition: to give a concrete form to; express, personify, or exemplify in concrete form
Example from the episode: “You know, I think the first thing people really have to sort of understand and embody is the idea that no one ever wants to hear anything you have to say or show them, unless you give them a reason to do so.”
Example sentence: “She aims to embody kindness in her actions.”
relentlessness (noun)
Definition: the quality of being very determined and not giving up, even in difficult situations
Example from the episode: “And so we identified the theme meaning or message. The theme was consistency, relentlessness, attention to detail, that kind of a thing.”
Example sentence: “His relentlessness in training led to great success.”
pertinent (adjective)
Definition: relevant or important to the matter being discussed
Example from the episode: “All those things are pertinent if you want to tell a great story.”
Example sentence: “The teacher provided pertinent examples to help us understand.”
on the edge of someone’s seat (idiom)
Definition: feeling very excited or nervous about what will happen next, usually because of a story or event
Example from the episode: “You have all the clues the murderer is about to be revealed, and you're absolutely as close to the edge of your seat as possible.”
Example sentence: “The thrilling movie kept me on the edge of my seat.”
Jeff Small
11/5/2024
smell (verb)
Definition: to notice something unusual or suspicious
Example from the episode: “If there's no connection, the audience can smell it, but there's got to be some reason that it's personal to you.”
Example sentence: “She smelled trouble when she heard the loud argument.”
practitioner (noun)
Definition: a person who works in a specific field or profession, especially in areas like medicine, law, or education
Example from the episode: “Think about the really impressive practitioners that you come across in your life.”
Example sentence: “She is a yoga practitioner who teaches classes every week.”
congruent (adjective)
Definition: being in agreement
Example from the episode: “I really like the advice of reflecting on the value and importance to you, to help you focus, to help bring the right emotion that's congruent with the message.”
Example sentence: “Their opinions on the project were congruent, which made it easy to work together.”
drive something home (idiom)
Definition: to make a point very clear or to emphasize an important idea so that others understand it well
Example from the episode: “I think it's really important. I do try to drive this home.”
Example sentence: “He wanted to drive the point home that hard work pays off.”
Andrew Luck
10/29/2024
internalize (verb)
Definition: to make something a part of your own thoughts or beliefs by understanding and accepting it
Example from the episode: “You internalize that very early on when you play team sports.”
Example sentence: “The training helped him internalize new skills quickly.”
camaraderie (noun)
Definition: a feeling of friendship and trust among a group of people
Example from the episode: “Many of them are not going to go beyond high school sports, just the way it works, and to learn those skills, camaraderie, timeliness, how to communicate, how to have conflict productively, how to collaborate, how to have a relationship with another person in a meaningful way.”
Example sentence: “They built a strong camaraderie while serving together.”
profound (adjective)
Definition: very deep or intense
Example from the episode: “So that had a profound impact on me.”
Example sentence: “His words were filled with profound wisdom.”
rise to the occasion (idiom)
Definition: to handle a difficult situation well or to perform your best when it really matters
Example from the episode: “You know that you rise to the occasion, you rise to these great moments, but I think you settle to the level of your training.”
Example sentence: “The team managed to rise to the occasion during the final game.”
Seth Godin
10/22/2024
propagate (verb)
Definition: to spread or share something, like a plant spreading its seeds or an idea being shared with others
Example from the episode: “Can you dive a little deeper into the role of storytelling, and in your perspective, what makes for an effective story beyond the fact that it helps people find value that they can then propagate?”
Example sentence: “Scientists propagate new ideas every day.”
ruckus (noun)
Definition: a lot of loud noise
Example from the episode: “Keep making a ruckus.”
Example sentence: “Let’s not cause a ruckus in the library.”
visceral (adjective)
Definition: relating to deep feelings or strong emotions, instead of just thoughts
Example from the episode: “And yet again, you remind us that a story has visceral components as well, and they have to all be congruent to reinforce what it is you're trying to get across.”
Example sentence: “The painting evoked a visceral response from viewers.”
make amends (idiom)
Definition: to apologize and fix things when you’ve done something wrong
Example from the episode: “But the first rule of Alcoholics Anonymous is you always talk about Alcoholics Anonymous, that principle number nine of making amends means you're going over to people you've interacted with and explaining to them why you're an Alcoholics Anonymous.”
Example sentence: “It's important to make amends when you hurt someone.”
Best of Cialdini
10/15/2024
undermine (verb)
Definition: to weaken or hurt something slowly, often without being noticed
Example from the episode: “If even one person steals from the forest, it undermines the integrity of the park.”
Example sentence: “They plotted to undermine the project’s success.”
intricacy (noun)
Definition: a small, detailed part of something that is complex or complicated
Example from the episode: “Today, we will dive deeply into the intricacies of influence.”
Example sentence: “The story’s intricacy kept readers engaged until the end.”
salient (adjective)
Definition: very noticeable or important
Example from the episode: “So whichever motivator of behavior, in this case, quality or price was made salient, was was brought to consciousness before they ever encountered the request to choose one or another of the kinds of sofas.”
Example sentence: “The salient features of the artwork drew much attention.”
move up the ladder (idiom)
Definition: to advance or get promoted in a job or career
Example from the episode: “Let’s say you have an idea that you would like to move up the ladder in your organization, because you think it’s a terrific initiative that would help all concerned.”
Example sentence: “She worked hard to move up the ladder in her career.”
Alan Alda
10/8/2024
probe (verb)
Definition: to ask questions or search carefully to find more information about something
Example from the episode: “I've been told by several people who were actually in the room that they argued for hours to neuroscientists and nanoscientists about the meaning of one word, the word probe.”
Example sentence: “They decided to probe into the mystery of the missing keys.”
clarity (noun)
Definition: being clear and easy to understand, whether in thoughts, communication, or appearance
Example from the episode: “Vividness is very important, and I certainly see how vividness and clarity together can really help someone absorb the information that you're communicating.”
Example sentence: “The instructions need more clarity to avoid confusion.”
landmark (adjective)
Definition: very important or significant, often marking a turning point or a key moment in history or an event
Example from the episode: “You know, there was a landmark meeting of nanoscientists and neuroscientists when President Obama brought together a group to work on the brain.”
Example sentence: “The landmark event changed the course of history.”
read the room (idiom)
Definition: to pay attention to the feelings and reactions of the people around you in a situation, so you can understand the mood and respond appropriately
Example from the episode: “I would love for you then to share with us perhaps a specific experience that you help these scientists work through so that they can learn that, how to read the room.”
Example sentence: “She knew to avoid jokes after reading the room's tense atmosphere.”
Maggie Baird
10/1/2024
contemplate (verb)
Definition: to think about something deeply and carefully, often for a long time
Example from the episode: “Looking back on the various changes in your career, do you have any insight and guidance for our listeners who might be contemplating making changes in their careers?”
Example sentence: “It’s good to contemplate before making big decisions.”
equity (noun)
Definition: fairness or being fair in how things are shared or treated, often referring to everyone having equal access to opportunities and resources
Example from the episode: “To begin, like, we have an organization, Support & Feed, and we do address food equity and the climate crisis by providing nourishing, healthy, plant-based meals to community orgs who are doing amazing work.”
Example sentence: “She fought for equity in education for all students.”
kinesthetic (adjective)
Definition: learning or doing things through movement and physical activities, like using your body to understand or remember something
Example from the episode: “And so I have a very strong kinesthetic experience of what are the things that helped me and what are the things that made it possible for me to do it.”
Example sentence: “The kinesthetic approach helps students understand better.”
drop the ball (idiom)
Definition: to make a mistake or fail to do something that you were supposed to take care of
Example from the episode: “If you're not trying to address the climate crisis, then you're dropping the ball.”
Example sentence: “He really dropped the ball by missing the deadline.”
Jen Psaki
9/24/2024
tailor (verb)
Definition: to make or adjust something to fit someone's needs or preferences, like changing a piece of clothing to fit better
Example from the episode: “And then what I really heard you say is you have to tailor your message to the person or people that you're speaking to so you can get them engaged.”
Example sentence: “He decided to tailor his resume for the job application.”
agility (noun)
Definition: the ability to move quickly and easily, especially when changing direction
Example from the episode: “You need to be present in the moment, and that's what gives you the agility to be flexible in the moment and be able to more effectively communicate.”
Example sentence: “His agility allowed him to dodge the ball easily.”
informed (adjective)
Definition: having knowledge or information about a particular subject, so you understand it well
Example from the episode: “As an informed participant, you know, anyone who is doing an interview or the White House press secretary, you don't just go on television and just start a show, right?”
Example sentence: “It’s important to stay informed about current events.”
tune something out (idiom)
Definition: to stop paying attention to it or to ignore it, like when you have background noise but focus on something else
Example from the episode: “She doesn't know the vernacular of Washington, so when people start talking like that, she kind of tunes it out.”
Example sentence: “She learned to tune out negative comments from others.”
Russ Altman
8/27/2024
craft (verb)
Definition: to carefully create or plan something
Example from the episode: “Do I know what is important to say and how can I craft it in a way to be helpful?”
Example sentence: “They will craft a new strategy for the project.”
avenue (noun)
Definition: a way or method to achieve something
Example from the episode: “That’s important for all of us to do what the people we work with and the people we socialize with is provide them avenues to explain their passion.”
Example sentence: “She found an avenue for her creativity in painting.”
robust (adjective)
Definition: strong, sturdy, or able to last a long time without breaking
Example from the episode: “I think that this very well stories of what people remember, stories of what people like, it’s actually frustrating because part of my work is statistics and statistics is really much more robust than a story.”
Example sentence: “They built a robust foundation for their project.”
make the case (idiom)
Definition: to provide reasons or arguments to support an idea or opinion
Example from the episode: “Then you have to make the case that there’s an opportunity that you and maybe others, but certainly you have.”
Example sentence: “She made the case for recycling in her speech.”
Scott Doorley
8/20/2024
manipulate (verb)
Definition: to skillfully handle or manage something or someone to achieve a good or helpful outcome
Example from the episode: “It’s to not manipulate it, right?”
Example sentence: “She knows how to manipulate data effectively for her research.”
prototype (noun)
Definition: an early model or sample of something that is created to test and show how it works before making the final version
Example from the episode: “So that might be looking at how people use things presently, talking to people who are struggling with an issue, creating something which we call prototype to test out and see if it works, if your assumptions are right, where you have breakdowns, and then getting feedback about everything you do.”
Example sentence: “They tested the prototype before final production.”
thriving (adjective)
Definition: doing very well, growing strong, or being successful and healthy
Example from the episode: “Along with Carissa Carter, he wrote the recently released book, Assembling Tomorrow, A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future.”
Example sentence: “The city has a thriving art scene.”
raise our voices (idiom)
Definition: to speak out or express our opinions loudly
Example from the episode: “So, what I’m hearing is that we need to, one, recognize and acknowledge this is happening, and then two, raise our voices and express our concern about it.”
Example sentence: “It’s important to raise your voice if you see injustice.”
Susan Rice
8/13/2024
reinforce (verb)
Definition: to make something stronger or give extra support, like adding more bricks to a wall
Example from the episode: “I shoot straight, and if somebody is doing particularly well I wanna reinforce that and encourage it, especially if there’s been real progress.”
Example sentence: “The teacher uses games to reinforce learning.”
grace (noun)
Definition: the quality of being kind, gentle, and elegant in the way you act
Example from the episode: “And that’s the same way that I tried to lead my teams and give everybody on the team that same grace.”
Example sentence: “She handled the situation with grace.”
candid (adjective)
Definition: being very honest and telling the truth, even if it might be hard to hear
Example from the episode: “Being direct and candid can help us in the most challenging of communication situations.”
Example sentence: “I appreciate your candid feedback.”
what you see is what you get (idiom)
Definition: something or someone is exactly as they appear, with no hidden surprises
Example from the episode: “I’m very direct, and I think the folks I work with expect that what they hear from me is, what they see is what they get.”
Example sentence: “With him, what you see is what you get.”
Tara VanDerveer
7/30/2024
huddle (verb)
Definition: to come very close together in a small group to stay warm or talk quietly
Example from the episode: “We huddle up in a circle and I talk to them about, these are our goals today.”
Example sentence: “The family huddle in the living room to chat.”
routine (noun)
Definition: something you do the same way every time, like brushing your teeth before bed
Example from the episode: “Talk to me about the value of routine and how you see that play out in your own life and perhaps how others could benefit from routine.”
Example sentence: “My morning routine includes coffee.”
succinct (adjective)
Definition: using only a few words to say something clearly
Example from the episode: “And it sounds like also you’re thinking about the duration of time you have, and then you adjust the number of items that you talk about in that amount of time, and many of us, in the moment, we feel such pressure that we just start talking, and it comes out in a garbled way that might not be really succinct.”
Example sentence: “Please be succinct with your answers.”
off the cuff (idiom)
Definition: speaking or acting without planning ahead
Example from the episode: “I’ve done a lot of work recently on how to speak clearly and concisely in the moment, off the cuff, and it seems to me that as a coach during the game, you have to be a master of this, be it talking to your team during a brief timeout during a really important moment or making your case to a referee.”
Example sentence: “The best ideas often come off the cuff.”
Fixable Swap
7/23/2024
resuscitate (verb)
Definition: to bring something back to life or make it active again, like reviving an old hobby
Example from the episode: “So James Joyce called it after wit, which is an old English word that I think we need to resuscitate.”
Example sentence: “They worked hard to resuscitate the old tradition.”
continuum (noun)
Definition: something that changes gradually without clear dividing points, like the colors blending in a rainbow
Example from the episode: “Although you and I, I think, represent opposite ends of that continuum.”
Example sentence: “Their relationship shifted along the continuum over the years.”
reluctant (adjective)
Definition: not wanting to do something or feeling unsure about it
Example from the episode: “And then I would go all the way over to your end where you’ll do it if you have to, but you’re a very reluctant on-the-spotter.”
Example sentence: “They were reluctant to make a decision.”
get in our own way (idiom)
Definition: to stop ourselves from making progress or achieving something by our own actions or attitudes
Example from the episode: “Now we tend to get in our own way and think it’s about us but it’s really about them.”
Example sentence: “Don’t let fear make you get in your own way.”
Andrew Seamen
7/16/2024
curate (verb)
Definition: to carefully select and organize items, like picking the best songs for a playlist
Example from the episode: “I think that’s really important to think about curating your profile and social presence based on the fact that people might be looking at that way before they meet you.”
Example sentence: “They curate content for the online magazine.”
blueprint (noun)
Definition: a detailed plan or guide for building something, like a map for making a house
Example from the episode: “So it’s almost like you are showing them the blueprint for answering the question.”
Example sentence: “The teacher provided a blueprint for the science experiment.”
rounded (adjective)
Definition: being well-balanced and having a variety of skills and interests
Example from the episode: “And that way when people see you and see your profile, they know, okay, this person is a rounded individual, that they have their instructional knowledge where they’re a professor or maybe they’re an engineer or something.”
Example sentence: “He is a rounded professional with experience in various fields.”
a deer in headlights (idiom)
Definition: someone who is very surprised or scared and doesn’t know what to do
Example from the episode: “So I wanted to ask you about interview presence because I know a lot of people, they go into an interview and they show up and they’re the deer in headlights.”
Example sentence: “When asked a tough question, he looked like a deer in headlights.”
150th episode
Shawon Jackson
7/9/2024
amplify (verb)
Definition: to make something louder or stronger.
Example from the episode: “So we have to think, will this material simplify, amplify, or clarify something that I’m communicating?”
Example sentence: “Can you amplify your argument?”
anecdote (noun)
Definition: a short and funny or interesting story about something that happened
Example from the episode: “So you might share an anecdote that reveals one point, and then in that same story introduce a new idea to your audience.”
Example sentence: “I love hearing his travel anecdotes.”
impromptu (adjective)
Definition: done without any planning or preparation
Example from the episode: “However, they’re very easy and they’re very helpful for impromptu speeches or a quick Q&A.”
Example sentence: “Her impromptu performance was amazing.”
beg, borrow and steal (idiom)
Definition: doing whatever it takes to get something you need or want, often by using different methods or resources, even if they are not ideal
Example from the episode: “They beg, borrow and steal all the slides they can find.”
Example sentence: “She had to beg, borrow, and steal to pay for college.”
Dan Pink
7/2/2024
galvanize (verb)
Definition: to inspire or motivate people to take action or become excited about something
Example from the episode: “The purpose of the speech is to galvanize action.”
Example sentence: “The coach’s speech helped galvanize the team.”
realm (noun)
Definition: an area or domain, often used to describe a field of interest or activity
Example from the episode: “However, I do think that there are some principles of that realm that we can extract for other realms.”
Example sentence: “In the realm of science, new discoveries are made daily.”
performative (adjective)
Definition: involving actions or behavior that are intended to impress others rather than being sincere or genuine
Example from the episode: “And so I think that the more we just forget the performative side of saying, oh, this is how official language is.”
Example sentence: “His apology seemed very performative.”
make it right (idiom)
Definition: to fix a mistake or correct a situation to make it better
Example from the episode: “What can I do to make it right?”
Example sentence: “She worked hard to make it right after the mistake.”
Irv Grousbeck
6/25/2024
punctuate (verb)
Definition: to make something you are saying very clear and important
Example from the episode: “But in hearing how you said it, I actually see how it punctuates the point.”
Example sentence: “Her dramatic pause helped punctuate the point effectively.”
adage (noun)
Definition: a short and wise saying that people have used for a long time to share important advice or truth
Example from the episode: “So there’s an old adage that we like to remind students about, which is when great management meets a bad business, the business always wins.”
Example sentence: “The timeless adage, “Honesty is the best policy,” guided his decisions.”
bombastic (adjective)
Definition: using fancy or big words to sound important, but often without much meaning.
Example from the episode: “They’re bombastic and they are attracted to risk and they’re egotistical.”
Example sentence: “The politician’s bombastic language did not convince the voters.”
blind side (idiom)
Definition: to surprise or catch someone off guard, often in a way that is negative or unexpected
Example from the episode: “Well, I’m surprised that you see this as a blind side.”
Example sentence: “The scandal caught the administration on a blind side.”
Whitney Johnson
6/18/2024
slingshot (verb)
Definition: to move or launch something quickly and forcefully
Example from the episode: “And it’s a decision that you make to step back from who you are to slingshot into who you can be.”
Example sentence: “The new technology could slingshot the company to the top of the market.”
disruption (noun)
Definition: when something interrupts or stops the normal flow or activity
Example from the episode: “So just like disruption isn’t just about products, it’s about people.”
Example sentence: “The pandemic led to significant disruption in daily life.”
deliberate (adjective)
Definition: done on purpose and after careful thought
Example from the episode: “Well, it’s a process of deliberate self-innovation.”
Example sentence: “They made a deliberate choice to move forward.”
have a blast (idiom)
Definition: have a lot of fun
Example from the episode: “I loved your conversation with Lindsay on All Ears English, and I had a blast when I was on your show.”
Example sentence: “The kids had a blast at the amusement park.”
Jenny Taitz
6/11/2024
compound (verb)
Definition: to combine two or more things together
Example from the episode: “So this just compounds our stress.”
Example sentence: “Poor communication can often compound misunderstandings.”
spiral (noun)
Definition: a situation or pattern of behavior where one’s thoughts or emotions continuously become more negative or intense
Example from the episode: “I look forward to learning ways that we can exit that spiral to help ourselves be a little less nervous and perhaps even a little more confident.”
Example sentence: “He tried to break out of the negative spiral of thoughts.”
speculative (adjective)
Definition: making guesses about something without having all the facts
Example from the episode: “So you mentioned the sense of agency and so we can spend hours and hours on the why, but what we really need to know is what we could do to start to problem solve why is just speculative, right?”
Example sentence: “The novel is a speculative look at a future without water.”
on the cusp (idiom)
Definition: about to happen or very close to happening
Example from the episode: “At the same time, this is going to help and I’m somehow on the cusp of a breakthrough.”
Example sentence: “This technology is on the cusp of changing the world.”
Maggie Neale
6/4/2024
chunk (verb)
Definition: to break something into smaller, manageable pieces
Example from the episode: “Well, there’s two different ways to think about chunking.”
Example sentence: “They chunked the project into manageable tasks.”
concession (noun)
Definition: something given up or allowed in order to reach an agreement or compromise
Example from the episode: “I’m quite willing to concede on an issue that’s important to you, especially if it’s not that important to me, in order to get a concession on an issue that’s important to me.”
Example sentence: “The company agreed to a concession on prices.”
inaugural (adjective)
Definition: marking the beginning of something, especially the first event in a series
Example from the episode: “And it even goes back to his inaugural speech, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Example sentence: “He attended the inaugural event at the new museum.”
in an uphill climb (idiom)
Definition: facing a difficult challenge or struggle that requires a lot of effort to overcome
Example from the episode: “And if that’s how you think about negotiation, you’re already in an uphill climb.”
Example sentence: “Starting a new business felt like being in an uphill climb.”
Amy Gallo
5/28/2024
hardwire (verb)
Definition: to be naturally programmed or designed to think, feel, or act in a specific way
Example from the episode: “I am a big believer that while our natural human instinct is to avoid conflict, because of course we are hardwired for likability and we see conflict as a potential rupture in our relationship or possibly damaging to our reputation.”
Example sentence: “We are hardwired to avoid harm.”
friction (noun)
Definition: disagreement between people
Example from the episode: “I’m often brought in because there’s not enough disagreement happening, there’s not enough feedback, not enough tension or friction.”
Example sentence: “To avoid friction, they decided not to discuss politics.”
dismissive (adjective)
Definition: not thinking something is important or worth paying attention to
Example from the episode: “So I’m sure you’ve been in this situation where you’re in a team meeting and someone disagrees with someone, or maybe is slightly dismissive or just something starts to happen and the whole room just gets tense, right?”
Example sentence: “Don’t be dismissive of their efforts.”
smooth something over (idiom)
Definition: to fix a problem or make a situation better so people are not upset anymore
Example from the episode: “And some people may immediately try to smooth it over.”
Example sentence: “After the argument, he tried to smooth things over with an apology.”
Ilya Strebulaev
5/21/2024
permeate (verb)
Definition: to spread or soak through something completely
Example from the episode: “What advice do you have for people in the way that they describe the things that they’re passionate about? It just permeates from you.”
Example sentence: “The excitement seemed to permeate the whole crowd.”
outlier (noun)
Definition: something that is very different from all the others in a group
Example from the episode: “It’s going for outliers because at the end of the day, it is outliers if successful that are going to determine our future and will make leaders very successful.”
Example sentence: “That one tall building is an outlier in this neighborhood of small homes.”
hostile (adjective)
Definition: unfriendly or harmful
Example from the episode: “I realized that for many, many decades they’ve been facing very, I would say hostile environment where they face a lot of failures, they face a lot of uncertainty, and they developed in order to survive and succeed, a very different mental model, very different mindset of how they make decisions.”
Example sentence: “Her tone was hostile during the argument.”
swing for the fences (idiom)
Definition: trying very hard to succeed, even in a difficult situation
Example from the episode: “I think it’s what I call swinging for the fences. It’s trying something unusual.”
Example sentence: “He decided to swing for the fences and apply for the manager position.”
Me2We 2024
5/14/2024
signal (verb)
Definition: to send a message or give a sign that tells someone something
Example from the episode: “It’s a general rule of thumb when it comes to signaling power or status is the simple idea of taking space, taking more space.”
Example sentence: “Owning a yacht signals strong wealth.”
counterpart (noun)
Definition: someone or something that is very similar or has the same role as someone or something else
Example from the episode: “And so it’s really about minding our metaphors and even creating a shared metaphor with our counterparts.”
Example sentence: “They exchanged ideas with their counterparts from other schools.”
firm (adjective)
Definition: strong in your decisions or beliefs and do not easily change your mind
Example from the episode: “We need to really be firm on our own interests and our priorities.”
Example sentence: “My boss is very firm about meeting deadlines.”
leave something on the table (idiom)
Definition: not taking or using everything that is available to you
Example from the episode: “So what’s fascinating is that negotiation happens all the time, but many of us leave a lot of value on the table.”
Example sentence: “She didn’t discuss salary during her interview and left some potential earnings on the table.”
Linda Hill
5/7/2024
iterate (verb)
Definition: to do something over and over again, making small changes each time
Example from the episode: “Second, it requires that we actually know how to experiment and learn together, that we can iterate and go through that whole process where there are going to be in fact missteps and mistakes, failures in fact.”
Example sentence: “They iterate the experiment to fine-tune their hypothesis.”
imperative (noun)
Definition: something that is crucial or necessary to do
Example from the episode: “Linda is also the author of three important and popular books – Becoming a Manager, Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation, and Being the Boss: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader.”
Example sentence: “Following safety protocols is an absolute imperative.”
exhilarating (adjective)
Definition: making you feel very excited and happy
Example from the episode: “And the final thing is that it turns out that innovation can be fun and exhilarating, but mostly it’s emotionally and intellectually very challenging.”
Example sentence: “The view from the mountaintop was exhilarating.”
cut somebody off (idiom)
Definition: to stop someone from talking or to suddenly stop letting them be part of a conversation or activity
Example from the episode: “You’re going to cut somebody off.”
Example sentence: “Please don’t cut me off while I’m speaking.”
Burt Alper
4/30/2024
strike (verb)
Definition: to give someone a sudden idea or feeling
Example from the episode: “It strikes me that in preparing for these kinds of interactions, having a stockpile of specific statistics are specific approaches to expand and extend a point would be really helpful to be ready with this different information.”
Example sentence: “It strikes me that you’ve grown taller since last year.”
pitfall (noun)
Definition: a hidden or unexpected problem or danger
Example from the episode: “But the experience of defending your ideas and proposals is hard, and fraught with potential pitfalls.”
Example sentence: “She warned him about the pitfalls of borrowing money.”
contentious (adjective)
Definition: causing a lot of arguments or disagreements
Example from the episode: “If you’re dealing with any kind of information that has a contentious element, or maybe even an unfamiliar element, thinking ahead of time about how that’s going to land with your audience where you might receive the pushback, and making a strategy ahead of time.”
Example sentence: “He avoided contentious topics during dinner conversations.”
build a bridge (idiom)
Definition: to create a connection or find a way to overcome a problem or difference between people
Example from the episode: “And if you can build a bridge right out of the gate, you’re starting off on the right foot.”
Example sentence: “To improve communication, we should build a bridge with our neighbors.”
David Melnikoff
4/23/2024
exert (verb)
Definition: to put effort or energy into doing something
Example from the episode: “You don’t need to exert effort and self-control to keep going.”
Example sentence: “The coach urged the team to exert all their remaining energy.”
flow (noun)
Definition: a state of intense focus and enjoyment in an activity where one loses track of time
Example from the episode: “He investigates how people pursue and achieve their goals, especially with a focus on flow.”
Example sentence: “He is in a state of flow while coding”
trance-like (adjective)
Definition: being in a state where you seem lost in thought or not aware of your surroundings, almost like you’re dreaming
Example from the episode: “People will be in an almost trance-like state, engaging in this activity that is nowhere near any sort of goldilock zone of challenge.”
Example sentence: “The repetitive sound of the waves led him into a trance-like state.”
off track (idiom)
Definition: to be away from the correct path or direction
Example from the episode: “I think people can get off track by setting goals that are so easy, so attainable that there’s no uncertainty about whether to what extent it will be achieved.”
Example sentence: “The construction project is off track due to delays in material delivery.”
Graham Weaver
4/16/2024
assemble (verb)
Definition: to put things together
Example from the episode: “But the first one and the most important job of a leader is to assemble a world class team.”
Example sentence: “After buying the new computer, you’ll need to assemble it.”
plateau (noun)
Definition: a time when something stops increasing or improving after a period of development
Example from the episode: “The reason that’s on there is that the thing that is keeping you where you are from your next plateau is something that you either don’t want to do or you fear.”
Example sentence: “The company’s sales reached a plateau after a rapid growth period.”
tactical (adjective)
Definition: planned carefully to achieve a goal
Example from the episode: “So I’ll start off with some things that are a little bit more tactical that may or may not be obvious.”
Example sentence: “He made a tactical decision to invest in real estate.”
an act of faith (idiom)
Definition: doing something because you strongly believe in it, even though you are not sure of the outcome
Example from the episode: “And for me, it took, it was like an act of faith.”
Example sentence: “Moving to a different country was an act of faith for her.”
Dana Carney
4/9/2024
land (verb)
Definition: to successfully get or achieve something you want
Example from the episode: “That I think really will help us think about how can I best land whatever it is that I am trying to land.”
Example sentence: “She couldn’t believe she landed the lead role in the play.
attribute (noun)
Definition: a quality or feature that something or someone has
Example from the episode: “What are the behaviors that we can use as tools to express or land a particular attribute?”
Example sentence: “She had many good attributes, like kindness and patience.”
colloquial (adjective)
Definition: using everyday, informal language that people use when they are speaking casually
Example from the episode: “Use colloquial tone of voice with a lot of vocal variability that might be associated with having a good time.”
Example sentence: “The book was filled with colloquial expressions that were hard to translate”
on sabbatical (idiom)
Definition: taking a break from work, often for studying or traveling
Example from the episode: “This year she’s on sabbatical from Berkeley and is spending time with us here in the management group at the GSB.”
Example sentence: “She couldn’t join our meeting because she’s on sabbatical.”
Julia Minson
4/2/2024
navigate (verb)
Definition: to manage or handle something
Example from the episode: “In fact, since my undergraduate days I wanted to understand how people work together, specifically how they make decisions together, how they navigate disagreement, and when people have different opinions.”
Example sentence: “Can you navigate through this difficult situation?”
bias (noun)
Definition: an unfair preference or dislike for something or someone
Example from the episode: “She explores how people engage with opinions, judgments and decisions that are different from their own and investigates the psychological biases that hinder maximizing the benefits of collaboration.”
Example sentence: “The news channel was accused of showing bias in its reporting.”
averse (adjective)
Definition: not liking or wanting to avoid something
Example from the episode: “I personally am very conflict averse and I try to avoid conflict as best I can.”
Example sentence: “My cat is averse to taking baths.”
two sides of the same coin (idiom)
Definition: two different things that are connected or closely related in some way
Example from the episode: “And it often then leads to conflict and negative emotions, these two sides of the coin, this idea that on one hand it’s good for you, on the other hand people avoided like the plague is kind of gotten me thinking about, well, what can we do to disagree better?”
Example sentence: “Risk and reward are often two sides of the same coin in business.”
Celine Teoh
3/26/2024
introspect (verb)
Definition: to think deeply about your own thoughts and feelings
Example from the episode: “To truly hone and develop your communication, you have to introspect, reflect, seek feedback and integrate all of that information to improve.”
Example sentence: “As an introvert, I often prefer to introspect rather than socialize.”
agency (noun)
Definition: the ability to make your own choices and actions
Example from the episode: “Now I can pick and choose from, and I have agency.”
Example sentence: “Maria feels that moving out gives her more agency.”
notorious (adjective)
Definition: famous for something bad or negative
Example from the episode: “Well, one example I can bring to you is when I was a student, an MBA at the GSB, one exercise that we ran in “Touchy Feely” is notorious.”
Example sentence: “She is notorious for being late to every meeting.”
hard done by (idiom)
Definition: feeling unfairly treated or that something is not fair to you
Example from the episode: “I felt disappointed in myself. I felt hard done by, resentful.”
Example sentence: “Despite all her hard work, she felt hard done by because she didn’t receive a promotion.”
Jeremy and Kian
3/19/2024
entail (verb)
Definition: to involve or require something as a necessary part
Example from the episode: “And that usually entails human ideation and prioritization.”
Example sentence: “Studying in a new country can entail facing many challenges.”
sentiment (noun)
Definition: what you feel or think about something
Example from the episode: “Did it have a differential impact on participants’ sentiment?”
Example sentence: “He expressed his sentiment in a heartfelt letter.”
tremendous (adjective)
Definition: very big, great, or a lot
Example from the episode: “The promise of AI is tremendous, yet most of us, if we’re using it at all, are using it incorrectly.”
Example sentence: “The storm caused tremendous damage to our city.”
bring something into the mix (idiom)
Definition: to add something new or different to a situation or group
Example from the episode: “And I wanted to see if we can bring a new technology tool into the mix to get better ideas.”
Example sentence: “Adding Sarah to our team will bring more creativity into the mix.”
Charles Duhigg
3/12/2024
align (verb)
Definition: to make things match
Example from the episode: “The ability to connect and to align our goals to others is a real superpower.”
Example sentence: “Her beliefs do not align with mine.”
byproduct (noun)
Definition: something that is made when you create something else
Example from the episode: “Yeah, there are people who argue that communication is really just a byproduct of shared empathy.”
Example sentence: “Smoke is a byproduct of fire.”
engaging (adjective)
Definition: very interesting or fun that it keeps your attention for a long time
Example from the episode: “So we actually take a step back, and we say what it’s really about is engaging.”
Example sentence: “I found the book very engaging.”
take someone’s side (idiom)
Definition: to support or agree with what a person is saying or doing
Example from the episode: “I would say, like, why aren’t you taking my side?”
Example sentence: “She feels alone because no one will take her side.”
Amy Edmondson
3/5/2024
enact (verb)
Definition: to put into action
Example from the episode: “It’s more something that is enacted day by day.”
Example sentence: “We need to enact measures to protect the environment.”
accountability (noun)
Definition: taking responsibility for your actions and decisions
Example from the episode: “This is a really important distinction because psychological safety’s been getting a lot of attention in the last few years and often it’s being misunderstood to mean comfortable or not having high standards or not feeling a sense of accountability to excellence.”
Example sentence: “Her accountability for her actions gained everyone’s respect.”
dissenting (adjective)
Definition: disagreeing or not going along with a common belief or idea
Example from the episode: “It’s hard for someone to offer a dissenting view or it’s hard for someone to ask for help or to let you know the project is not going well.”
Example sentence: “She voiced her dissenting view during the meeting.”
bite someone’s head off (idiom)
Definition: to angrily scold or yell at someone
Example from the episode: “If every time you hear bad news, you bite someone’s head off, that does not encourage psychological safety.”
Example sentence: “There’s no need to bite someone’s head off over a small mistake.”
Bob Sutton
2/27/2024
scale (verb)
Definition: to make something bigger or grow, like a business or project
Example from the episode: “You have done a lot of research, teaching, and writing about best practices for how companies can best scale.”
Example sentence: “She hired more staff to scale her bakery business.”
revelation (noun)
Definition: discovering or learning something new or surprising
Example from the episode: “Now, there’s also another aspect of scaling, which for us was a revelation.”
Example sentence: “She had a revelation about her career path during the meeting.”
meta (adjective)
Definition: when something refers to itself; for example, a story about a story, or a film about making films
Example from the episode: “I’m going to ask you to get meta for a moment.”
Example sentence: “In the film, the main character made a meta statement about being in a movie.”
strike a chord (idiom)
Definition: to cause a strong emotional response
Example from the episode: “A lot of the difficulty I have with the way corporate leaders communicate their mindset is they tend to use very abstract language that doesn’t strike a chord, or at worst, it’s confusing.”
Example sentence: “Her book did not strike a chord with most readers.”
Jeff Pfeffer
2/20/2024
employ (verb)
Definition: to use
Example from the episode: “So are there specific nonverbal behaviors or body language, if you will, that we can employ to be seen as more powerful and having higher status?”
Example sentence: “I decided to employ a new strategy to solve the problem.”
remorse (noun)
Definition: the feeling of being very sorry for something wrong you have done
Example from the episode: “Anger is a much stronger emotion than sadness or than any kind of remorse or hesitation or whatever.”
Example sentence: “He was filled with remorse after forgetting his best friend’s birthday.”
vivid (adjective)
Definition: clear and detailed
Example from the episode: “You want to use simple language, forceful language, vivid language, vivid words, and keep it simple and direct.”
Example sentence: “Her vivid descriptions made me feel as if I were there.”
sneak peek (idiom)
Definition: a quick early look at something before it’s completely ready or revealed
Example from the episode: “You were very kind to give me a sneak peek at your upcoming book, and I’m very excited for that to come out.”
Example sentence: “Can I have a sneak peek at your new project?”
David Brooks
2/13/2024
foster (verb)
Definition: to help something grow and develop
Example from the episode: “I’m curious what drives your interest in this topic, and what role does communication play in fostering the connection you write about?”
Example sentence: “Their work helped to foster positive change in the society.”
crossroads (noun)
Definition: a point in your life when you have to make an important decision
Example from the episode: “So what crossroads are you at right now?”
Example sentence: “Sophia is at a crossroads, trying to decide whether to start her own company or keep working for someone else.”
aloof (adjective)
Definition: not friendly or not involved with others
Example from the episode: “And so I grew up kind of an aloof personality type.”
Example sentence: “Despite being in a crowded room, she felt aloof.”
imposter syndrome (idiom)
Definition: when you feel like you’re not as smart or good as others think you are and you worry about being found out
Example from the episode: “Maybe you have imposter syndrome.”
Example sentence: “She didn’t share her ideas in the meeting because of her imposter syndrome.”
TSFS Live
Part 2
2/8/2024
hijack (verb)
Definition: to take control of something without permission
Example from the episode: “But Amal is asking about an audience hijacking a pitch or a presentation.”
Example sentence: “He was arrested for attempting to hijack a car.”
boundary (noun)
Definition: a line or limit that separates two things or areas
Example from the episode: “First and foremost, in those circumstances, I highly recommend setting some boundaries and expectations at the start.”
Example sentence: “You should respect the boundaries that others set.”
overarching (adjective)
Definition: something that includes or influences everything
Example from the episode: “So let people know you want a few minutes to just get the overarching idea across.”
Example sentence: “Love is an overarching theme in her books.”
tone deaf (idiom)
Definition: someone is ignoring or not understanding people’s feelings or reactions about something
Example from the episode: “If we ignore it, we seem tone deaf, and everybody else sees that because we hear that emotion.”
Example sentence: “Mike upset everyone with his tone deaf comments about the tragic news.”
TSFS Live
Part 1
2/6/2024
deploy (verb)
Definition: to start using something
Example from the episode: “For each one, I’m going to introduce the concept, explain it, then I’ll give an example, and ultimately we’ll talk about how to deploy these to help you be more focused.”
Example sentence: “The company will deploy new policies starting next month.”
antidote (noun)
Definition: a medicine that helps to stop the harmful effects of a poison
Example from the episode: “The only antidote to the curse of knowledge and the curse of passion is empathy.”
Example sentence: “The scientist is working on an antidote for the virus.”
dumbfounded (adjective)
Definition: being so surprised that you cannot speak
Example from the episode: “And many of our students were dumbfounded.”
Example sentence: “The magician’s trick left me completely dumbfounded.”
hit it out of the park (idiom)
Definition: to do something really well or perfectly
Example from the episode: “Here in the United States, we use lots of sports analogies: Hit it out of the park; push it across the goal line; it’s a slam dunk.”
Example sentence: “If you study hard for your test, you’ll hit it out of the park.”
Elise Keith
1/23/2024
channel (verb)
Definition: to direct something, like thoughts, energy or resources, towards a particular goal or outcome
Example from the episode: “Everything in an organization’s communication architecture is really designed to channel three things, right?”
Example sentence: “You need to channel your anger into something positive.”
resolution (noun)
Definition: a firm decision someone makes to do or not do something
Example from the episode: “Three people take the first one, three people take the second one, three people take the third one, and they work on them in parallel at the same time coming to a suggested resolution.”
Example sentence: “Her resolution was to read a book every month.”
wishy-washy (adjective)
Definition: unclear or not firm in decision or behavior
Example from the episode: “Because when things are wishy-washy and messy, being in the room so that we can interrupt each other and overlap and read that body language really, really well helps.”
Example sentence: “Her wishy-washy response did not help us make a decision.”
crack the code (idiom)
Definition: figuring out a solution to a challenging problem
Example from the episode: “I’m excited to have you help us crack the code on effective meetings, Elise.”
Example sentence: “After studying for hours, Tom finally managed to crack the code of the complex mathematical equation.”
Joe Allen & Karin Reed
1/16/2024
validate (verb)
Definition: to recognize or value something as important or correct
Example from the episode: “The first one is validating all forms of participation.”
Example sentence: “Society should validate all cultures and traditions.”
ally (noun)
Definition: a friend or someone who supports and helps you
Example from the episode: “And even doing things like creating in-room allies where, okay, Bob, you be the in-room ally for Joe because Joe is attending virtually today.”
Example sentence: “The superhero found an unexpected ally in his fight against crime.”
perpetuating (adjective)
Definition: continuing something or making it last longer
Example from the episode: “And so it becomes this perpetuating cycle of, I don’t like meetings, you don’t like meetings, let’s go grab a beer and talk about how horrible and awful our meetings are.”
Example sentence: “The media plays a major role in perpetuating these stereotypes.”
have the floor (idiom)
Definition: it’s your turn to speak in a group or meeting
Example from the episode: “And then suddenly they have the floor.”
Example sentence: “Does anyone else want to have the floor before we end the meeting?”