Leadership and Organizational Development:
Language Solutions

Overview and Underlying Philosophy
Organizational language appears in mission and value statements,
websites and organizational policies. Often, this language is not
aligned with the business of the organization or the employees
understanding of the business operations. Language can also be
inconsistent or unaligned with the message. Language is sometimes
used as a shield to obscure or as a vehicle to create ambiguity. When
organizational language is used in these ways, organizational
communication suffers.  Internal problems brew and then, as a result, it
affects the organization's customers.

Mission and value statements create and define the company. The
company is the sum of corporate leadership, corporate ethos,
products or services offered and the company’s relationship with the
client. Language ties all of these individual parts together and
creates the “company persona”. When all individual parts of the
company’s persona are tied together with the language it is called
“linguistic alignment”.

Language creates messages. Effective and aligned language should
be used as a vehicle to deliver the message. The message can inform,
enlighten, inspire and motivate. Don’t let your language betray your
message.

Language also develops the framework for accountability.  Business
can be very complicated but accountability is not.  As soon as
accountability is breached, your business credibility is compromised.
Don’t let your words breach your accountability.
Lessard Consulting


Risk Management and   
Communication Solutions