Dear Bob ...I've shared many of your articles with my "direct reports." There's a thought: "direct reports". In our insanely politically correct world, we've gone out of our way to avoid calling them "subordinates". I prefer to call them "the folks I work with" but that doesn't convey the relationship to strangers that they might need. Got any thoughts on that?- Word challengedDear Challe Dear Bob …I’ve shared many of your articles with my “direct reports.” There’s a thought: “direct reports”. In our insanely politically correct world, we’ve gone out of our way to avoid calling them “subordinates”. I prefer to call them “the folks I work with” but that doesn’t convey the relationship to strangers that they might need. Got any thoughts on that? – Word challengedDear Challenged …I’ve always liked “the men and women who report to me,” although it’s a bit long. “My team” and “my staff” work too, although I know people who find my use of the possessive form disconcerting. It really is a bit of a challenge, because while there are plenty of versions I dislike (“rank and file” and “great unwashed” are particularly offensive while “troops” suggests they’re faceless and interchangeable), simple, appropriate alternatives are hard to come by.I personally don’t like “subordinates,” primarily because I don’t want those reporting to me to think of themselves that way.– Bob Technology Industry