A possible limitation of “narrative syncing” as a term is when you’re syncing your own narrative. It seems to mainly suggest a social interpretation, but many such statements are intended to shape one’s own future behavior.
In general, the action being taken is a suggestion, model, or command for what to do or not to do, who’ll be in charge of directing those efforts, and how to communicate about it.
I might call this something like “leadership language.” It’s also imperfect. What I like about it is that it explicitly calls out the power dynamic. “Narrative syncing” suggests a neutral, computer-like update, while “leadership language” emphasizes that a person is exerting power and influence.
At the same time, “leadership” has broadly positive connotations, which I think is appropriate to the term.
This also suggests that leadership language interferes with epistemic when many independent and considered judgments are preferable to a uniform coordinated social action. When directing people toward independent thought, leadership language is appropriate.
Leadership language happens a lot in public statements by politicians and CEOs and activists, in Facebook posts, in the arts, and during ceremonies.
This comment reminded me of the confusion Anna mentioned at the end around self-fulfilling prophecies. It also reminded me of a book called Leadership is Language (which I recommend), with some interesting stories and examples. One I recall often from the book is about asking questions that invite open, thoughtful answers rather than closed, agreement-like answers. For example, “what am I missing”, rather than “am I missing anything”. I find I’m often in the latter mode and default to it, just wanting confirmation to roll ahead with my plan, rather than actually inviting others’ views, so I try to remember this one.
I feel like expanding a bit on the confusion around self-fulfilling prophecy. So one theme that seems consistent on across narrative syncing, leadership language and self-fulfilling prophecies is that they’re all paying attention to the constructivist forces.
A possible limitation of “narrative syncing” as a term is when you’re syncing your own narrative. It seems to mainly suggest a social interpretation, but many such statements are intended to shape one’s own future behavior.
In general, the action being taken is a suggestion, model, or command for what to do or not to do, who’ll be in charge of directing those efforts, and how to communicate about it.
I might call this something like “leadership language.” It’s also imperfect. What I like about it is that it explicitly calls out the power dynamic. “Narrative syncing” suggests a neutral, computer-like update, while “leadership language” emphasizes that a person is exerting power and influence.
At the same time, “leadership” has broadly positive connotations, which I think is appropriate to the term.
This also suggests that leadership language interferes with epistemic when many independent and considered judgments are preferable to a uniform coordinated social action. When directing people toward independent thought, leadership language is appropriate.
Leadership language happens a lot in public statements by politicians and CEOs and activists, in Facebook posts, in the arts, and during ceremonies.
This comment reminded me of the confusion Anna mentioned at the end around self-fulfilling prophecies. It also reminded me of a book called Leadership is Language (which I recommend), with some interesting stories and examples. One I recall often from the book is about asking questions that invite open, thoughtful answers rather than closed, agreement-like answers. For example, “what am I missing”, rather than “am I missing anything”. I find I’m often in the latter mode and default to it, just wanting confirmation to roll ahead with my plan, rather than actually inviting others’ views, so I try to remember this one.
I feel like expanding a bit on the confusion around self-fulfilling prophecy. So one theme that seems consistent on across narrative syncing, leadership language and self-fulfilling prophecies is that they’re all paying attention to the constructivist forces.