Understanding the Phrase ‘Run It Up the Flagpole’

When entering the job market, it’s important to understand business jargon used in the workplace. One phrase you may hear often is “run it up the flagpole.” This phrase essentially means that somebody wants to suggest an idea and see if other people have any opinions or feedback about it.

For example, if a manager was looking for ways to increase efficiency in the workplace, they might say “let’s run this idea up the flagpole and see who salutes.” What this means is that the manager would propose the idea and then ask everyone in the meeting to offer their opinion or feedback. This helps the manager to get a sense of how people feel about the idea and make a decision based on the feedback they get.

It’s also important to remember that even when asking for feedback, it’s the manager’s decision to make in the end. This phrase does not mean that the suggestion must be determined by a majority in the office, but rather it’s a way for all voices to be heard.

In summary, the phrase “run it up the flagpole” means to suggest an idea and then ask for feedback from the team. It’s a way to get additional opinions and information that can help inform the final decision.