Too Generic

In an attempt to keep change efforts relevant to large numbers of people, we keep the language generic and accessible.  The problem with this approach is that some changes call for specific language with specific meanings in order to make sense of what is really happening.

You wouldn’t troubleshoot a complex electrical system by referring to the blue wire instead of the wire between terminal A-41 and terminal B-89. Yet, we regularly do that with changes. We need more training.  We need less disruptions.  We need to sustain improvement.  Blah. Blah. Blah.

May I suggest that if your change is stalling perhaps your language is too generic.  If you’re looking to tap into both the hearts and the minds of the people you want to reach with your change, you’ll have to give them the words that explain the situation in enough detail where they’ll know what to do, when to do it, and why it matters to do anything at all.

Try a change in language and see if that helps your change drive forward.  Why not try?

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