About the Book
In today's fast-paced business environment, understanding the language of the workplace is more than just helpful-it's essential. From boardroom strategy sessions to cross-functional project meetings, professionals are constantly confronted with acronyms, technical terms, and industry jargon that can be confusing, overwhelming, or even intimidating. Practical Definitions for the Working Professional was created to bridge that gap.
This book is more than a dictionary-it's a practical guide for making sense of the terms, phrases, and concepts that dominate modern professional communication. Organized for quick reference and written in plain, accessible language, it covers essential topics across business administration, management, marketing, project management, organizational change, data analytics, and more. Each definition is designed to be concise yet comprehensive, ensuring readers can not only understand the word but also see how it applies in a real business context.
Whether you're a recent graduate stepping into your first role, a mid-career professional moving into leadership, or an executive refining your strategic vocabulary, this resource gives you the tools to speak the language of business fluently.
The inspiration for this work came from the author's decades of experience across military service, government agencies, Fortune 500 consulting, and academia. As a professor, consultant, and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Dr. Kyle Hanlan has seen first-hand how clear communication can make or break workplace success. Drawing on this diverse background, he distilled complex terms into straightforward explanations that anyone can understand; without oversimplifying their meaning.
With Practical Definitions for the Working Professional at your side, you'll have a trusted resource to help you:
-Decode unfamiliar terminology during meetings and reports
-Strengthen your professional communication skills
-Build confidence when engaging with senior leaders or technical experts
-Understand the "why" behind the terms, not just the "what"
Whether kept on your desk, carried in your work bag, or bookmarked as a go-to reference, this book will become an invaluable companion for navigating today's business world with clarity and confidence.
About the Author :
Dr. Kyle Hanlan is a seasoned leader, educator, and consultant whose career bridges the military, government, academia, and corporate sectors. With a reputation for translating complex concepts into actionable strategies, Kyle has dedicated his professional life to helping individuals and organizations excel in leadership, operations, and organizational culture.
An Army veteran, Kyle's public service spans key roles at the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where he developed and implemented policies, procedures, and strategies that shaped national operations. His contributions to the U.S. Navy War College as a professor further demonstrate his ability to guide senior leaders through complex decision-making processes in high-stakes environments.
Since 2016, Kyle has served as a Professor at Penn State University, where he brings a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application to courses on leadership, business process improvement, and organizational change. His teaching style reflects his core belief that professional growth stems from clarity, competence, and confidence-principles that also inspired his book, Practical Definitions for the Working Professional.
In the private sector, Kyle is the Vice President of LLMC Partners, providing strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and multinational organizations. His work focuses on leadership development, organizational transformation, Lean Six Sigma, risk management, and change management. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and MBTI Master Practitioner, Kyle has successfully led large-scale process improvement initiatives that have saved organizations millions of dollars while improving performance and employee engagement.
Kyle's academic achievements are as diverse as his professional experience. He holds a PhD in Public Policy and four master's degrees-in Psychology, Engineering, Administration, and Policy-reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. His 28 professional certifications include Project Management Professional (PMP), risk management, and change management, underscoring his commitment to lifelong learning and mastery of his craft.
Across every role, Kyle has remained committed to empowering others-whether by equipping emerging leaders with the tools to thrive, guiding organizations through transformational change, or clarifying the often-intimidating language of the workplace. His approach combines strategic insight, operational precision, and a deep understanding of human behavior, making him a trusted advisor in both the boardroom and the classroom.
Professional Focus Areas: Leadership development, organizational change management, Lean Six Sigma, process improvement, strategic planning, risk management, and executive coaching.
