Words Matter

The words we use are a powerful lever in changing culture.

Observing the interactions at a client’s team meeting recently, I saw first hand the impact of a few oft-used words and phrases by key members of the leadership team. What was said had the power to shift the tone and outcome of the meeting dramatically.

Focusing on communication in the workplace is critical if we are to make change happen. At the same time, communication is dynamic, complex and nuanced. Focusing in on the actual words used is a good starting point.

In a humorous book called 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings, there is a (tongue-in-cheek, although possibly truer than we think) meeting-speak cheat sheet, to help you decipher what people are saying. For example, “let’s get some data on that = I’m pretty sure you’re wrong” or “Can I ask a quick question = We are going to be here a while” 😁

It makes me wonder how often leaders consider these words and phrases that are part of their workplace culture. What is their impact on a team’s effectiveness and wellbeing? What can we change by simply changing a few of these words or phrases?

How can we, as leaders, be more mindful of the words we use?