Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Victorious Living

Home
Family, Parenting and Religion
How Shared Language Drives Culture

How Shared Language Drives Culture

Last updated on: September 9, 2019 at 1:46 pm by Victorious Living

How Shared Language Drives Culture 2019-09-09T13:46:27-04:00 Victorious Living

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Going Deeper

There are two major problems that occur as we develop shared language within our culture.

The first is that we are not very intentional about creating our culture. More specifically, we are not deliberate about carefully constructing our communication so that it is clearly shared and understood. And so that it establishes the kind of culture we desire.

Most of our language is borrowed or pieced together from pop culture, other entities we’re comfortable in, or via the biggest personality/leader of our budding culture. For this reason (the latter especially), most sub-cultures in our society are personality driven rather than purpose driven.

I’ve seen it in marriages, friendships, businesses, and churches. All of a sudden, after years of passive-aggressive sparring, it becomes clear that the entity is in a terrible place. “How did we get here?” they ask. The answer is a lack of vision and a lack of intentional communication.

The second problem occurs when shared language is unclear. For example: A company says they are about customer care but the most caring guy in the office gets fired because he had the lowest profit margins. If our vision is vague or confusing or unaligned with our true values, we are not communicating effectively. One or more people within an entity will become frustrated in the absence of clarity.

Correct Course

If you find yourself in an entity that is not sharing language well, there are two simple things you can do to start.

First, determine and discuss your values and vision. If culture is an understanding of what is admirable and what is shameful, a frank and upfront conversation about the goals of the entity will help everyone get on the same page.

Second, determine definitions. What does success mean? How is conflict approached? Wrap some clarity around what really matters. Don’t just settle for the superficial language settings – what TV shows are referenced, how much coffee is for free, etc. – but talk about boundaries and consequences, sharing influence, and the freedom to give feedback and ask vulnerable questions. What word your entity uses to communicate ‘cool’ matters little. Have some conversation about the things that do matter so you might move forward with the commitment and clarity that comes from utilizing shared language to achieve vision.

Go back

Culture Change

Healthy Communication

Previous Post

March 26, 2018

Innovative Relating

Next Post

March 30, 2018 The Frightening Process of Empowering Our Kids

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Choices Conflict Resolution Culture Change Emotions Failure Faith Fear Freedom V Growth Healthy Communication Hope Identity Influence Leadership Learn Mistakes Mood Curve Ownership Perspective Power Relationships Self-Awareness Self-Governance Systems Thinking Three Things You Control Transformational Leadership Trust Truth Uncategorized Values Vision

Select a Month January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: In Revelation, the number of the beast is 777.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE

Books by This Author Books by Victorious Living

See All Titles »