Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Could We Please Retire The Phrase "Changing The Culture"?

How many of you out there have heard of the phrase "changing the culture"?


How many of you out there are absolutely annoyed by it?


I've heard this phrase uttered in various workplace settings for many years. But where I've heard it must often deployed is in sports, particularly baseball.


A couple of nights ago, I was watching a panel discussion on SNY about the 2019 New York Mets. The phrase "changing the culture" must have been uttered 20 times in five minutes. Every time my Dad would hear the phrase he would go "ding".


From where I sit, unless one is describing the composition of yogurt, the phrase "changing the culture" is utterly devoid of meaning. It is yet the latest in a very long line of meaningless buzz words.


Consider this headline from Forbes concerning the recently fired Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon.


Joe Maddon Will Forever Be Remembered For Changing Cubs' Culture


Nonsense!!!


Joe Maddon will forever be remembered for guiding the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years.


Did Maddon get fired because the culture had changed for the worse? Or did he get fired because the Cubs lost 9 games in a row last month and failed to make the playoffs?









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