The 3 Most Misunderstood Words on Job Descriptions Right Now
Mar 31
3 min read
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Job descriptions are wild these days.
They ask for ten years of experience in a “junior” role. They want someone who’s “a self-starter but coachable,” “data-driven but creative,” and also a “rockstar” who’s “down to earth.”
🤔 Cool cool. Totally clear.
But the real trap? It’s not the buzzwords. It’s the misunderstood job description words that look simple… but mean way more than you think.
Especially if you’re looking to break into transformation execution, enterprise change, or strategic project leadership, you have to read between the lines.
So let’s break down the three most misunderstood job description words right now—and what they actually mean in the world of Transformation Execution Management (TXM).
1. Strategic
What you think it means:
“Big-picture thinker. Visionary vibes. Knows some frameworks, maybe has a whiteboard.”
What it actually means:
“Can connect day-to-day work to business outcomes without waiting for someone to tell them how.”
In TXM, being “strategic” means more than thinking ahead. It means you know how to translate business goals into execution plans. You don’t just understand the strategy—you help make it real. That’s a huge part of transformation execution leadership.
💡 TXM Tip: Practice “TEE” (Transformation Execution Engineering) to turn strategy into tangible delivery workstreams that actually drive results.
2. Collaborative
What you think it means:
“Gets along well with others. Good teammate. Nice in meetings.”
What it actually means:
“Can influence without authority across silos, politics, and egos—and still hit the deadline.”
In transformation work, you’re rarely in charge of everyone you need to work with. “Collaborative” is hiring manager code for “can lead a cross-functional initiative where no one reports to you, but everything depends on you.”
💡 TXM Tip: Week 3 of the TXM Execution Playbook is all about Execution Leadership—aka, how to move teams without a title.
3. Agile
What you think it means:
“Knows Scrum. Can run a daily standup. Likes Post-it Notes.”
What it actually means:
“Can adjust quickly when priorities change, and still deliver meaningful progress.”
In transformation environments, agile isn’t just about process—it’s about adaptive execution. You have to navigate shifting goals, unclear requirements, and executive pivots without losing momentum.
💡 TXM Tip: Use the “Execution Velocity” system (Week 2 of the TXM Playbook) to maintain speed and focus—even in chaos.
What These Misunderstood Job Description Words Are Really Telling You
These words aren’t fluff. They’re code. And if you want to grow into a role that drives enterprise change—or become a trusted transformation leader—you have to know how to execute on what they really mean.
Let’s decode them one last time:
Word | What They’re Really Hiring For |
Strategic | Can connect work to business outcomes |
Collaborative | Can lead cross-functional teams without authority |
Agile | Can adapt quickly and still execute under pressure |
If that sounds like you—or the version of you you're building—you’re already on the path to transformation execution leadership.
Final Thought: It’s Not About the Words—It’s About the Work
These misunderstood job description words are just symptoms of a bigger shift:
Companies don’t just want people who can do the job. They want people who can lead execution through complexity.
That’s what TXM is all about. If you want to build the skills behind the buzzwords, start here:
👉 Get the TXM Execution Playbook – 15 minutes a day to become the kind of leader every transformation needs.
