Why Shared Language Matters: How Terms Shape Collaboration

Many collaboration issues are attributed to disagreement, lack of alignment, or resistance.

In reality, they often start much earlier, with something far more subtle: using the same words to mean different things.

In this episode of Le Podcast on Emerging Leadership, I had the great pleasure of welcoming Michael DeLanzo to explore why coming to terms with terms is such a critical leadership practice.

A misunderstanding that sparked the conversation

The idea for this episode came from a feedback exchange following the podcast episode How to Create Great Goals?.

As a listener, Michael initially disagreed with the level of abstraction and scope I was proposing for goals and objectives. As we discussed further, it became clear that the disagreement was not about intent or quality, but about definitions.

We were using the same words, goals and objectives, with different meanings. Once we clarified our respective definitions, the apparent disagreement disappeared.

Clarifying terms as a leadership act

This led us to a broader realization: clarifying terms is the starting point for any meaningful collaboration.

Without shared definitions:

conversations drift
decisions become fragile
frustration accumulates silently

Clarity of language creates clarity of thought and action.

Communication modes matter

We also explore how different communication modes influence understanding:

written versus spoken communication
synchronous versus asynchronous exchanges

Each has strengths and risks, and misunderstanding often arises when the mode is chosen by habit rather than intention.

Cultural and language differences further amplify these challenges. As the quote often attributed to George Bernard Shaw puts it:
“Britain and America are two nations divided by a common language.”

Thinking, meetings, and time well spent

The conversation touches on the difference between passive thinking and critical thinking, and why writing can be a powerful tool to support deeper reflection.

We reference ideas such as:

“Meetings are the last resort, not the first option”
“Five people in a room for an hour isn’t a one-hour meeting, it’s a five-hour meeting”

We also discuss practices used at companies like Amazon and Twitter, where written documents replace slide decks and create space for shared understanding and better decision-making.