Say What You Mean
The more we try to say the ‘right’ things in mission statements and grants, the more we water down what those words actually mean. Terms like “community engagement,” “authentic collaboration,” and “diverse voices” appear universally but often lack specific operational definitions.
This phenomenon is reflective of a society that is so hyperfocused on presenting themselves correctly, it seems like they don’t really stop to think about whether they’re actually living the principles they’re making sure are front and center on all their outward facing marketing. The resulting disconnect between stated intentions and actual practices undermines both community trust and institutional effectiveness.
The problem isn’t just language, it’s the impact that fuzzy language has. Take “community engagement.” Without clear definition, it can mean anything from a token survey to full-on shared decision-making. Same with “authentic collaboration.” It might be real partnership… or just another way to extract input without sharing power.
Good intentions aren’t usually enough, though it’s a start. If you’re serious about community involvement, you have to be willing to give up some control, slow things down, and make space for real participation. This is something that has taken me time to fully appreciate and understand.
The better path? Be specific. Instead of saying you’ll “engage the community,” explain how: How many feedback sessions? What will actually change based on input? What parts are already locked in?
That kind of clarity helps everyone. The community knows what role they’re playing. The staff knows what they’re responsible for. And success can be measured against real expectations, not vague promises.
The same goes for individual creatives. Saying you offer “innovative solutions” doesn’t mean much without explaining what sets you apart or how you work.
Being clear about what you’re doing (and what you’re not) is what builds trust. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to be honest about what’s known, what’s flexible, and what’s still in progress.
Saying what you mean, and meaning what you say, that’s how real collaboration starts. The rest is just noise.