Slippery Terms: Do you and I mean the same thing?

In the field of informal logic, “slippery terms” are words that mean one thing to one person and something different to another. They produce a consensus that is often an illusion, and therefore likely to fall apart. With long-time colleagues, the depth of shared context or background is usually enough to keep our meanings aligned. But when we work with people we don’t know well, and we add differences in expertise, language, and culture, slippery terms create errors, misunderstandings, and rework. Start clarifying now, before it’s too late.

SLIPPERY TERMS IN THE WORKPLACE

In meetings or presentations, do you find yourself thinking: “We are using the same words, but do we mean the same thing?” That question is likely to be a pointer to slippery terms that require discussion. Questions of clarification prompt conversation about meanings and spark shared understanding. When groups don’t take time to clarify slippery terms, agreement among teammates is likely to evaporate if conflict brings differences in meanings to light. Don’t wait until a mistake or misunderstanding draws out the fact that you don’t actually mean the same thing—start clarifying slippery terms as soon as you notice them.

Think about gathering requirements at work. Having the ability to be sensitive to slippery words pays off handsomely when you notice that teammates and vendors don’t necessarily mean the same thing. Perhaps the words they are using are the same, but are the meanings shared? Cross-functional work is another area in which the ability to spot slippery words carries high rewards. Research suggests that in cross-functional teams where everyone has a high degree of specialization, the ability of experts to clarify each other’s language is one of the factors that relates to the overall success of the team.

When you think you’ve spotted a slippery term in your work, it is time for questions of clarification. Asking for a definition, an example, or a use of the term in a different context actively brings differences in meaning to light. Questions of clarification, while they might seem simplistic or disruptive in the moment, are especially valuable for teams because they prompt groups to produce shared meanings. When you see someone on a project give an example that, to you, is an example of something different, it’s time to stop and clarify. It might sound like this: “I don’t want to slow us down, but I’m not sure you and I are using that term in the same way. Why isn’t that an example of this other concept?” If you find in conversation with a colleague that they are saying something that doesn’t quite make sense, rather than ignoring this subtle signal, treat it like a warning light. Stop the conversation and ask something like: “I know this might seem obvious, but I want to check something; when I say ____, this is what I mean. Is that what you mean when you say ____?” If you’ve spotted a slippery term, it will immediately become clear that what seemed like obvious agreement deserves further conversation.

SPOTTING SLIPPERY TERMS

Here are some ideas that will help you jump into clarification of slippery terms before they begin to cause conflicts or errors and disrupt your team or group.

Create a “gallery” of slippery terms

Key terms in your work are likely to take on specialized meaning that isn’t necessarily shared by others who aren’t familiar with your discipline. Create a gallery of these key terms, and when they come into play in a project make a point to stop and discuss their meanings. In addition, add seemingly precise technical terms to your gallery. Each profession has its own list of deceptively “precise” technical terminology. For example, software developers learn, usually through painful personal experience, that technical phrases like “zero bugs” and “code complete” sound marvelously precise in discussion but tend to fall apart in practice. Whenever one of these words in your gallery of slippery terms comes up, interject with a question of clarification.

Proactively Build Shared Understanding

Look for everyday words that are pivotal to a project or presentation. Pick up those key terms and ask about their meanings using common questions of clarification. Paraphrase. Give an example, or ask for an example. Draw the picture that’s in your mind. Above all, don’t be too quick to nod your head or say “I understand.” By discussing definitions, examples, images and other clarification questions, you will proactively ensure that your group or team builds shared meaning and avoids problems caused by slippery terms.

THIS MONTH’S PRACTICE

The faster we work, the less patience we have for clarification of any kind. But that is exactly what slippery terms require! Noticing the lack of alignment among meanings in our workplace discussions is the hard part—so the first practice focuses on building awareness of slippery terms. When you learn to spot them, intervention is easy; use your clarification tools.

PRACTICE 1

This week begin to build your “gallery of slippery terms.” Make a file that lists and defines key words in your work. Then begin to add key words that you hear from others, but perhaps can’t define so clearly. Making your “gallery” real and written will help heighten your awareness of slippery terms. Add to your gallery by documenting technical terms from your work and from cross-functional team meetings. Keep your gallery of slippery terms easily accessible and look it over often so that it becomes an awareness-building tool. Add to your gallery whenever you come across a slippery term that warrants attention now and in the future.

PRACTICE 2

Identify a meeting on your calendar where you know in advance that your meanings are not likely to be in alignment with someone else’s meanings. Using past experience as your guide, brainstorm slippery terms that may appear in this meeting. During the discussion, pay close attention to points when people are using key terms in slightly different ways—that’s your “slippery term” warning bell. When your warning bell sounds, deliberately ask a question of clarification. For example, you might say: “I don’t want to slow us down too much, but it seems as if we may not mean the same thing by ____. I think we’re using the word in at least two different ways. Could we create a shared definition?”

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