Level setting
Meaning
To level set means to establish a common understanding or baseline of information among participants before proceeding with a discussion or task.
Origin
The phrase 'level setting' finds its roots in the meticulous world of surveying and engineering, where 'setting a level' is the fundamental act of establishing a precise horizontal plane or a fixed reference point. Imagine a surveyor carefully calibrating their instrument, ensuring a perfectly flat, shared baseline from which all measurements can accurately descend or ascend. This technical precision was adopted by the burgeoning corporate landscape of the late 20th century. Business leaders and project managers, keen to avoid miscommunication and divergent expectations, began using 'level setting' metaphorically. It became the essential opening act for any significant discussion or project, a deliberate effort to align every participant's understanding and expectations, creating a unified 'level ground' before the work even began.
Examples
- Before we dive into the project details, let's take a moment for some level setting so everyone is on the same page.
- The first hour of the meeting will be dedicated to level setting, ensuring all team members understand the current status and objectives.