I’m reading this book on gamification in the workplace and realizing I have work to do, not in what I know, but in how I communicate the value I bring to my clients.
I talk to a lot of leaders.
They want to break silos. Get information flowing. Boost collaboration across levels and departments. They want teams that move fast, innovate often, and work efficiently together.
Here's what I'm realizing,
Silos aren’t just about trust or people's resistance - they’re linguistics.
We’re often not even speaking the same language.
“Our Talent Development Strategy uses gamification to transform the way employees learn and develop.”
— HR
“Our Digital Adoption Solution streamlines integration and enhances user engagement with systems.”
— Tech
“Our Interactive Campaigns use gamification to create memorable customer experiences and strengthen brand loyalty.”
~ Lopes Costa, Ricardo. The Fantastic Engagement Factory
— Marketing
Same service. Same goal. Three departments. Three entirely different languages.
When I coach clients on nutrition, I sometimes slip into my what they call "techno bubble" and start talking about the thermic effect of food, for example, how protein burns more energy to digest than fat or carbs.
But what they actually need to hear,
Some foods keep you fuller longer and make it easier to lose or maintain weight.
Same thing. Different people. Different language.
This week, I’m asking myself, and I’m asking you too, dear reader,
Are you speaking in the language of the person you’re trying to persuade?
Because if you’re not, it doesn’t matter how smart, strategic, or experienced you are. You’ll miss them before getting started.
PS We are lucky to have chatGPT and other tools to help with translation.
