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About this quote

What does it mean?
Workplace dialogue shapes behavior and work quality more than tools do.
In plain terms
How we talk at work affects how we work more than machines do.
What can you take from it?
Improve work by changing how people talk to each other.

Where it applies

  • office management
  • factory floors
  • remote teams

Putting it to work

  • encourage open feedback
  • reduce hierarchical talk

Questions to consider

  • How does your team's language affect morale?

Another view

Structural issues can limit the impact of better talk.

More from Theodore Zeldin

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