About this episode
In this conversation I explore how organizational culture reveals itself through language and how we can influence a work culture by changing the way we communicate. I’m joined by Gill Ereaut, a researcher, author, and organizational consultant who pioneered the application of language sciences to business challenges. Her bestselling book "The Way We Talk Around Here" published in November 2024 explains how language patterns reflect and shape company culture. Together we discuss how to spot language patterns, what these reveal and non-confrontational ways we can challenge accepted narratives and the use of langugage where we work.
If you look at an organisation's language, it's a very good barometer. It has all sorts of useful, powerful clues to what the unspoken worldview is.
What you're pointing to is the assumptions underneath rather than trying to police the surface language.
If you notice shared language habits you can say ‘I've noticed this, have you noticed that?’ You don't have to make a judgment, just raise it as a topic to be curious about.
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Gill's book 'The Way We Talk Around Here: How your organization's culture shows up in your language and why it matters'.