The systematic dissemination of information down the corporate hierarchy, ensuring it becomes progressively more diluted and less comprehensible at each level.
What they actually mean
"I am forwarding a ninety-page PDF I haven't read to people who won't read it."
Heard in the wild
"I'll cascade the minutes from the executive steering committee to the wider project team."
An esteemed colleague of equal or greater seniority whom you enlist to co-sign an untested theory, effectively halving your professional liability if things go wrong.
"I'd love to use you as a thought partner on this slide deck before we present to the board."
Translation
"Please share the blame for this."
To place a placeholder event in a calendar with the tacit agreement that it will be immediately deleted the moment a more attractive or lucrative option presents itself.
"Let's pencil in a coffee next Thursday afternoon."
Translation
"I will cancel this on Thursday morning."
A governing body of senior executives assembled to receive highly polished slides, debate minor formatting choices, and dilute all operational accountability.
"We need to get sign-off from the SteerCo before we can progress to the implementation phase."
Translation
"A committee designed to ensure no single individual can be blamed when this goes wrong."