The Role of Language in the Quest for Meaning

Today, we’re diving deep into a subject central to our individual and collective journeys: Meaning Language.

Wait, there’s a Meaning Language?

We all speak English, but we use English in very different ways. Take debate and persuasion, for instance. Debate is great for hashing out regulation, while persuasion is the go-to for convincing someone that they absolutely need that new smartphone. But try debating with a customer about which car they should buy, and you’ll find yourself on a one-way ticket to Cringe City.

Meaning Language is different. It’s not about winning an argument or making a sale; it’s the language of personal experience and resonance. It’s the ‘soul food’ of communication.

Ghost in the Machine

Freudian Slips of the Tongue, also called parapraxis, are glitches in speech or physical action due to the interference of an unconscious subdued wish or internal train of thought.

Carl Jung and Franz Riklin decided to explore parapraxis further by experimenting with word association tests. They wanted to monitor how psychological responses affected physiological markers, like pulse and breathing rate, even measuring electrical skin responses. Their groundbreaking work revealed that our subconscious is pulling the strings.

The silver lining is that ‘who’ you ‘are’ has something to say, subtly interrupting. So remember, the next time you’re feeling tense or anxious, it’s likely your subconscious sending you a telegram: “Stop ignoring me; I’ve got something to say!”

Where is the Voice of Authenticity?

Jung’s word association experiments led to identifying and naming complexes and the Persona. Complexes are the emotional landmines in our psyche—touchy subjects we are unaware of or rather avoid—but blow up when triggered. Conversely, Jung said the Persona is a compromise between societal demands and how we'd like to appear instead of how we are. It’s not the real you; it’s more like your theatrical performer.?

Jung and Riklin’s work paved the way for modern tools like the EKG and the polygraph. The latter, known as a lie detector test, is a machine that sniffs the truth like your grandma catching who ate the Christmas chocolates from the smudges on your face. Despite its flaws, the polygraph shows we have an inner truth-seeking advocate who physically protests when silenced.

Modern-day research continues to shine a light on this ‘inner voice.’ Dan Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, defines ‘resonance circuits’ as neural pathways in the brain involved in mindfulness and empathy. These circuits underlie our ability for self-awareness (mindfulness) and our awareness of others (empathy). Siegel uses the term ‘resonance’ to suggest that we seek a kind of attunement or harmonization, not just within oneself but with others.

Resonance

When talking, we don’t consciously choose each word; speech would be choppy and slow. When we speak, we start with an intention, maybe an image or story, and we start talking. We attempt to talk until we’ve conveyed our intent to ourselves and our audience (or until interrupted). We’ve all heard the term, “You got to get it all out.” So, when communicating with Meaning, we are attempting to attune and harmonize simultaneously—using language as a vehicle—to make or express what matters to us; hence, Meaning Language.

When we suppress our true selves, we distance ourselves from our growth and understanding. Speaking our truths, especially to others, is how we learn and evolve. While there's a growing focus on creating psychologically safe environments in organizations, it's crucial to first establish that safety within ourselves by discovering our authentic voice. Understanding your own inner landscape is key when navigating an organizational culture filled with defense mechanisms like jargon, persona, and complexes, which can deflect meaningful conversations, isolating and severing the life out of genuine motives.

Gobbledygook - Back to Business

An article in the Economist Magazine called “Why Businesses Use So Much Jargon - The Reasons behind Management Gobbledygook” points out that managers use jargon to establish their credentials. Unlike fields like medicine, where expertise is demonstrated through rigorous exams and practical training, the use of management language serves as a badge of qualification: If you can speak the language of management, you can appear qualified to rule. The article claims, “All this matters because the continued use of this language is a sign that the speaker is not thinking clearly. And if those in charge aren’t thinking clearly, that’s bad for the business.”

Hammer of Conformity

But, while Gobbledygook exists—and yes, mimicry can get you that promotion—it’s much more nuanced than this. Organizations benefit by developing models for scale and uniformity, which are excellent for developing repeatable business models. But when applied to humans, these can tip into a push for conformity, which can suppress Meaning, by definition.?Conformity kills innovation and motivation and nails the foot of potential to the floor. Ultimately, it ushers in a phase of stasis and decline within the organization.

For example, when the organizational focus shifts from a beginner’s mind, one of learning and growth, to execution, things usually go very well. It’s when execution isn’t balanced with continual change when we attempt to mitigate every risk that risk aversion and conformity start taking over the cultural dynamic. The emphasis is on employees who “drink the Cool Aid” by protecting the status quo instead of keeping up with market changes. When change agents are brought in, they speak a different language; like an auto-immune disorder, the conformity antibodies treat what’s healthy as a threat, and stasis is resumed despite overwhelming evidence.

As Abraham Maslow pointed out, put a golden hammer in someone’s hands, and everything will become a nail. When we stop wielding the tool effectively, and the tool starts hammering you.

Are You In?

The Quest for Meaning—like Indiana Jones meets depth psychology, complete with elaborate booby traps. Navigating the Inner Journey involves dodging landmines that are actually ‘landminds’ (did you see that?). One wrong step, and—you’re creating an existential crisis over something trivial.

I've had my share of hiring, training, and coaching, and it’s not a journey everyone’s ready for. The idea sounds good, but a fair share of people will be hitting the opt-out button. The same autoimmune disorder can act similarly in our personal psychology.

Mining Meaning Language

The Essence Mining Method was designed as one approach that empowers Meaning at Work. It acts as a Rosetta Stone for Meaning. Tangible benefits from using the Essence Mining Method, as studied by a group of PhDs, show enhanced communication skills, innovative problem-solving, elevated leadership skills, increased emotional intelligence, resilience, and reduced stress—all leading to greater job satisfaction and service to the organization.

It turns out that embedded in your everyday speech is a lifeline to a more complete you. By examining your Meaning Language, you can hear your authentic voice, which was always with you, hidden in plain sound.

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