On Connection...
When I was writing case studies for Microsoft, we (writers/editors) had a list of words that you could essentially use for any story—sort of like Mad Libs, where you just fill in the missing pronouns. The story was always the same. Leverage. Deploy. Face. Challenge. Engage. Profit. Increase. Percentage. Installed. Collaborate. Access. Users. Efficiency. Reduction.
Most of these words became tainted for all of us; I don’t think I will ever be able to use the word deploy without feeling ill.
In preparation for Module 5, the first-year students in my I-Group at LIOS are exchanging our self-assessment papers, so that we will be better-prepared to give each other feedback and face members of the faculty. In reading these papers, I’ve noticed that we, too, have a list of words.
Show up. Transparency. Connection. Intention. Differentiation. Challenge. Relationship. Impact. Resiliency. Authenticity. Leadership. Learning. Paradox. Polarity. Tension. Inquiry. Manage. Self-Sooth. Growth. Identify. Expansion.
But even though these words are just as overused, they don’t drive me crazy. In fact, I like them. My classmates and I can joke about them being over used. And, strange thing, none of them are loosing their meaning. Instead, layers are being added. The words now all have stories behind them; they have faces of people you care about and people who push your buttons. They have history.
But I guess these words still mean different things to each of us, and they can be used without the same effect as more specific statements. I had to laugh when after I-Group one day, one of my favorite professors said, “What the fuck does connection mean anyway?”
Most of these words became tainted for all of us; I don’t think I will ever be able to use the word deploy without feeling ill.
In preparation for Module 5, the first-year students in my I-Group at LIOS are exchanging our self-assessment papers, so that we will be better-prepared to give each other feedback and face members of the faculty. In reading these papers, I’ve noticed that we, too, have a list of words.
Show up. Transparency. Connection. Intention. Differentiation. Challenge. Relationship. Impact. Resiliency. Authenticity. Leadership. Learning. Paradox. Polarity. Tension. Inquiry. Manage. Self-Sooth. Growth. Identify. Expansion.
But even though these words are just as overused, they don’t drive me crazy. In fact, I like them. My classmates and I can joke about them being over used. And, strange thing, none of them are loosing their meaning. Instead, layers are being added. The words now all have stories behind them; they have faces of people you care about and people who push your buttons. They have history.
But I guess these words still mean different things to each of us, and they can be used without the same effect as more specific statements. I had to laugh when after I-Group one day, one of my favorite professors said, “What the fuck does connection mean anyway?”
posted by Elizabeth at 11:42 PM
1 Comments:
I thought of you when I wrote impact! At LIOS, impact is used as a noun for the most part (as to check impact of X on another person).
And, actually, I like authenticity.
I'm sure that in a few more months, I may feel differently...
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