| Reference Checks | English Translation |
| A bit controversial | Uniformly despised |
| A bit of a loose cannon | Generates a huge number of poorly-thought out ideas |
| A bit of a head case | Totally wacko |
| A little bit headstrong | Stubborn, completely inflexible |
| A little eccentric | A dangerous psychopath |
| A very nice person | Ineffectual |
| Benefits from close supervision | Don’t count on her to do anything right |
| Capable of offering different points of view | Two-faced |
| Consensus oriented | Hopelessly indecisive |
| Could make more efficient use of her time | Hopelessly unfocused |
| Could rub people the wrong way at times | Thoroughly arrogant |
| Different | Really weird |
| Entrepreneurial | Totally uncontrollable, bordering on maniacal |
| Frequently makes suggestions | Chronic complainer |
| Fundamental differences | Didn’t speak to each other for over a year |
| Has a tendency to put his own slant on reality | Lies regularly |
| Has been through a real learning curve | Mistakes cost company millions |
| He can sell ice to an Eskimo | A liar and a cheat |
| Independent thinker | Complete crackpot, syn. with “Creative almost to a fault” |
| Job eliminated due to restructuring | We ran out of ideas for where to put this person |
| Left to pursue other opportunities | Was fired summarily |
| Missed objectives from time to time | Consistently screwed up assignments |
| More of an individual contributor | Direct reports were left hopelessly adrift |
| Not afraid to speak their mind | Criticizes management frequently |
| Occasionally needs a kick in the pants | Lazy beyond belief |
| People skills could be stronger | Co-workers hate him passionately |
| Process-oriented | Lacks any useful knowledge |
| References are impeccable | A good guy |
| References are fairly strong | Better candidates can be easily found |
| References raised a couple of issues | A complete bozo |
| Slight difference in operating philosophies | Hated each other’s guts |
| Somewhat of a taskmaster | An autocratic, oppressive dictator |
| Strong communication skills | Talks on the telephone all the time |
| Thinks somewhat abstractly | Totally impractical |
| Very quantitative orientation | Spends the day in the office playing on the PC |
| Was respected more than liked | We drew straws to see who could fire him |
| Wasn’t handicapped by lack of ego | Insufferably conceited |
| You have to watch him a little | He’ll rob you blind |
Kinetic Energy Ventures 