The document describes an exercise called "The Big Words Seminar" where 10 diverse people from an organization are each given 10 words to define. The words could relate to business terms if a corporation, or be adjusted based on the group. People are then asked to provide their own definition for words like "absolute truth", "integrity", "values", and terms related to sales, marketing, and ethics. By having group members define common words, inconsistencies in understanding can be uncovered. The goal is to assess whether employees have a shared understanding of key concepts and whether they understand aspects of the company they work for.

1. The Big Words Seminar
Chip Evans, PH.D.
Gather ten people from an organization, meaning a diverse reflection
of humanity, and give them ten words to define.

2. Chip Evans, Ph.D. www.theevansgroupllc.com
The Big Words Seminar
Gather ten people from an organization, meaning a diverse reflection of
humanity, and give them ten words to define.
If a corporation include and use business terms, if a society, educational or
religious function adjust the words to the populace.
Ten Words to Define
• Absolute Truth
• Integrity
• Values
• Gross Profit % Definition
• Gross Margin Definition
• Gross sales of company you work for
• Honesty
• Ethics
• Free Will
• Sales definition vs. marketing
Advise the team, if not a religious group, that religious definitions are not accepted; we want
what the person believes the word to be.
Remember, with whatever group you create, or people you ask, try to choose ten (10) diverse
human beings from different environments and you have an excellent grassroots poll.
As consultants we do this with each client, and I do it in each conversation.
I want a common agreed upon definition of the word before endless babble occurs, where no
one is even discussing the same thing.
Or the business questions that show (from whatever level of work or management you decide)
you’ll learn quickly if your key employees even have a clue.

3. Chip Evans, Ph.D. www.theevansgroupllc.com
The Big Words Seminar
If running a think tank/discussion group this is even more critical. Using Bohm’s Dialogue as one
technique to facilitate a discussion group first The Evans Group believes the words must be
defined, and the question dissected before any discussion can begin.
People are very defensive when you ask them to define a word. Most respond in religious
dogma, well understood, but not answering the question. This includes discussions within the
working environment.
The Goal:
 How many people really even know the Mission Statement of the company?
 How many different definitions of sales and ethics exist in the company?
 Do the employees/leaders even know much of the company?
 How many are working from common definitions?