Word vs. Meaning – So many times in our lives, we think we “know” what someone else is saying. The words they use are the words we use. However, if you put a group of people together and ask them to give you four definitions of one word, 99% of them will have different definitions for that word.
I have used this example with thousands of people – let’s look at the word “client” – asking highly intelligent managers, leaders, and executives to detail their definitions of the word “client” and only .01% has matched. The point is, if we are all using the common word “client” and we don’t even agree on the definition, how do we know we are speaking about the same thing?
Try this exercise with people and you will see how easily we are NOT on the same page with the words we use. The point is to make sure that you are clear with your communication even if you consider it an everyday word.
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