What it actually means
It has been four days. Please do the thing.
Surface meaning: A soft follow-up to remind someone of an outstanding item.
If someone just said “Gentle Nudge” in a meeting, here is what they probably meant, what to do about it, and how to keep your sanity.
In the wild
Slack: Just a gentle nudge on the brief
(Read receipt. No reply.)
How to respond
Pair the nudge with a specific deadline and consequence: 'Need this by Thursday EOD or I'll proceed without you.' Watch the speed change.
Origin
From behavioral economics (Thaler and Sunstein, 2008), softened into a passive-aggressive email closer.
FAQ
What does "Gentle Nudge" actually mean?
It has been four days. Please do the thing.
Where did the phrase "Gentle Nudge" come from?
From behavioral economics (Thaler and Sunstein, 2008), softened into a passive-aggressive email closer.
How should I respond when someone says "Gentle Nudge"?
Pair the nudge with a specific deadline and consequence: 'Need this by Thursday EOD or I'll proceed without you.' Watch the speed change.
Related corporate vocabulary
This was, of course, a meeting that should have been an email.
Run the fake meeting simulator. Generate a bingo card. Be busy without being there.
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