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Oxford vocab 12

Silo. Muddle. Flip side. On track. Constricted. Disenfranchise. Sparring partner. Malcontent. Hold a mirror up.


Silo. a system, process, department, etc. that operates separately or is thought of as separate from others

Muddle. confused or with confused ideas

Flip side. an opposite, reverse, or sharply contrasted side or aspect of something or someone

On track.  acting or progressing in a way that is likely to result in success.

Constricted. limited in amount, extent, range, etc.

Disenfranchise. to take away somebody’s rights, especially their right to vote

Sparring partner. a person with whom one continually argues or contends.

Malcontent. a person who is not satisfied with a situation and who complains about it, or causes trouble in order to change it

Hold a mirror up. To think very deeply about.


In the corporate world, the silo mentality can muddle communication and collaboration among departments. While specialization has its benefits, it also has a flip side, as it can lead to a constricted view of the organization's overall goals and objectives.


To get the company back on track, leadership decided to break down these silos and encourage cross-functional cooperation. They recognized that the siloed approach had disenfranchised employees, making them feel like mere cogs in a machine rather than active contributors to the company's success.


In this effort to bridge gaps, they appointed a seasoned executive as a sparring partner for the various department heads. This individual, known for their ability to hold a mirror up to the organization's shortcomings, challenged the malcontent atmosphere that had taken hold.


Slowly but surely, the company began to shift its culture from one of silos and disenfranchisement to a more collaborative and inclusive environment. It was a transformation that took time and effort, but it was necessary to ensure the organization's long-term success. 

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