The Importance of Common Language

I had previously written about “binary clarity” and how gratifying it was to hear others using that language after I left a position where I had used it frequently. The reason this was so gratifying was I realized the others had internalized what it meant. In short, the group had developed common language Further, they had internalized the importance of the concept.

Today, while attending a daily standup (I am now an observer, not an active participant) I heard the use of more common language. When I heard term used, I could tell everyone knew what it meant and what actions would follow.

I have an older brother that is now retired. He frequently comments on how he enjoys having his kids quote him. He likes to add, “Others will carry on after me”.  Common language is critical. It’s even more gratifying when you are the originator of the language.  It confirms that you have had an impact on the group and that others will “carry on”. 

Agility, Demos, and Credibility with your Customer

Once I had the opportunity to present at my company's annual User Conference. The Product Manager for the session set a goal that in hindsight was a pretty aggressive demonstration. When he walked through the outline, I thought, "Yep, that can be done" and the synopsis went out to the conference attendees. As frequently happens, work and life got in the way of the preparation time. I was fortunate enough to get some fantastic assistance from my colleagues on the requisite slides and that helped to further focus "the story" that the demonstration. I entered the conference feeling reasonably prepared.

For some reason the day before the presentation, "the buzz" around what I was going to demonstrate began to build. There was a Field Services employee that read the session synopsis and said, "You are going to do *that* during a live demonstration-are you crazy?" Shortly before the presentation, I ran into a customer that had intended to come, but then had another commitment. He apologized by saying that he was going to have to miss my "high wire act".  I was suddenly nervous.