unclear orders
[/ʌnˈklɪr ˈɔrdərz/]
noun phrase
ordens vagas; instruções pouco claras; ordens ambíguas
1. Instructions or directives that are not clearly stated, leaving room for misinterpretation or confusion about what is expected
The manager gave unclear orders about the project deadline, which led to confusion among team members.
O gerente deu ordens vagas sobre o prazo do projeto, o que gerou confusão entre os membros da equipe.
2. Military or organizational commands that lack specificity or precision, making it difficult for subordinates to understand their objectives
The general's unclear orders resulted in strategic errors during the operation.
As ordens ambíguas do general resultaram em erros estratégicos durante a operação.
3. Instructions that are poorly communicated or lack sufficient detail to be understood correctly
Unclear orders from headquarters caused delays in the production process.
As instruções pouco claras da matriz causaram atrasos no processo de produção.
In both Brazilian and American workplace contexts, unclear orders are often seen as a sign of poor management and can lead to significant productivity losses. In Brazil, this is particularly problematic in hierarchical organizations where subordinates may hesitate to ask for clarification due to cultural norms around deference to authority. In the USA, unclear orders are typically addressed through direct feedback or clarification requests, reflecting a more egalitarian approach to communication.
NYC Slang
mixed signals; wishy-washy instructions; foggy orders
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