(Bubble It Up is an annoying business term and is just one of the 212 Most Annoying Business Phrases Managers Effuse, Confuse, and Overuse detailed in the hilarious must-have guide for every workplace: The 30,000-Pound Gorilla in the Room. Available right now on Amazon.)

Bubble It Up

Somehow, it’s no longer enough to demonstrate or share in your workplace. Today, your annoying managers want to be sure you bubble it up.

Do what?

While this one always makes us cringe, it also makes us wonder how exactly one bubbles something up? Is this a natural process or do we need to exert some force below the topic, project, or whatever it is we’re supposed to be bubbling up?

If we bubble it up, will this be sufficient? Will this be enough to ensure a successful completion? Or, will we also need to check for receipt and understanding? Will we need to inspect the follow-through?  Will we need to actually understand what bubble it up means?

Bubble it up is annoying on the surface and especially in its ambiguity. It’s used by the weakest of annoying managers; those too afraid to truly lead. It comes out as a suggestion because, well, a clear order might create some conflict.

Asking someone to bubble it up is akin to asking them if they wouldn’t mind wearing pants around the office.

It’s weak… and everyone but you knows it.

Replacement phrases: Show; Share; Demonstrate

See also: Cascade; Waterfall

…

The 30,000-Pound Gorilla in the Room is available on Amazon