The Language of Leadership: How Words Shape Culture and Change
Oct 20, 2025Leadership isn’t just about vision or strategy—it’s also about language. The words leaders choose can either reinforce barriers or unlock new possibilities.
Dr. Michelle Loyet, interim Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Webster University, discovered this truth while helping to implement Agile practices in higher education. As her teams worked through sprints, they began to shift the language they used:
- Instead of talking about 'problems,' they spoke about 'impediments.'
- Instead of asking 'why not,' they began asking 'how might we.'
- Instead of tolerating a 'devil’s advocate,' they insisted on constructive solutions.
These subtle but powerful language shifts did more than change vocabulary—they changed behavior. They reframed challenges as opportunities, built accountability into the process, and created a culture of collaboration rather than conflict.
Language matters because it shapes how people perceive their role in change. When leaders reframe obstacles as shared challenges, they invite their teams to participate in problem-solving rather than withdraw into skepticism. And when leaders ban unproductive language, they make space for innovation to flourish.
The lesson for leaders? Pay attention to the words you use. They can either reinforce the status quo—or spark a new way of thinking.
For more insights, listen to our full conversation with Dr. Michelle Loyet on the Engaged by Design Podcast, where she shares how anthropology, Agile methods, and intentional language reshaped leadership at Webster University.
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