Defining what we mean

Today’s Idea

Aristotle, the brilliant ancient Greek philosopher, believed that clear definitions are the foundation of true understanding. He saw a definition as a way to capture the essence of something – what makes it what it is.

For example, the essence of a "triangle" is that it's a "three-sided polygon." This simple definition tells us exactly what a triangle is and how it's different from other shapes.

Why does this matter to us? Especially, in our personal and professional lives?

Answer: clear thinking and good communication rely on everyone being on the same page.

When we use precise language and define our terms clearly, we avoid confusion and make sure everyone understands each other.

How many times have you found yourself in a frustrating conversation where you and the other person were talking past each other, using the same words but meaning different things? How often have you seen disagreements escalate simply because of a misunderstanding about what a particular word or phrase meant in that specific context?

Last year, one of the suggested improvement area in our team was "innovation". We got started but made a critical mistake: we never defined what "innovation" means. For one team member, it meant creative project delivery; for another, incorporating original ideas into new projects. Whereas, I thought innovation is all about constantly experimenting with new approaches to achieve a better outcome.

Six months later, when we met to discuss progress, it was clear we were like six blind men describing an elephant. Our different interpretations had led to misaligned efforts and wasted time. My colleagues and I learned the hard way that a shared definition is essential for progress.

As human, we might be better than AI at picking up nuance, context, and implied meanings from tone, body language, and shared experiences. But even with these advantages, clear definitions remain essential for effective communication.

Consider another scenario:

Your partner asks you to handle a task "soon," and you interpret that as "this weekend", while they meant "sometime today." The result? A missed deadline and a brewing argument.

Socrates often started dialogues by asking the person he was speaking with to define the subject. Nicomachean Ethics is one of the most influential documents in all of human history. In this work, Aristotle first went on to define the ethics.

The eastern philosophy also put a lot of emphasis on definition. Confucian philosophy states that social or moral disorder often stems from failure to call things by their proper names. Confucius offered a solution to it. The concept is “Rectification of names” (zhengming). In his own words:

So, taking a few minutes to clarify what we mean can save us a lot of frustration and help us build stronger, more fulfilling life and relationships.

Today’s Action

So, here are our challenges for today:

1. As soon as you finish reading this, think about three random adjectives you use regularly in your work or personal life. Are they clear and precise? Does everyone understand them the same way?

2. Try to be mindful of the words you use throughout today and pick a key suspect that might have a different meaning to other people. Write down a clear definition for it. Notice how this clarity impacts your thinking. Carry this practice with you throughout the day, choosing your words with intention.

Until Wednesday, keep questioning, keep exploring, and keep defining your own path.