The Power of Shared Definitions

We’ve all been there. You walk out of a meeting thinking everyone’s aligned, only to realize later that half the team walked away with a completely different understanding.

It usually happens because of one simple thing: definitions weren’t clear. …


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Branden Hernandez

We’ve all been there. You walk out of a meeting thinking everyone’s aligned, only to realize later that half the team walked away with a completely different understanding.

It usually happens because of one simple thing: definitions weren’t clear.

Take the word “performance.”

  • To a developer, it might mean how fast code executes.
  • To a product manager, it could mean how quickly features are delivered.
  • To a customer support rep, it might mean how happy users are.

Same word. Three totally different meanings.

And what happens next? Endless back-and-forth, rework, and wasted time — all because nobody stopped to ask, “What do we mean by this?”

Why Definitions Matter

Definitions are like the foundation of a building. If they’re shaky, everything built on top will eventually crack. Clear definitions:

  • Remove assumptions
  • Speed up decision-making
  • Prevent people from talking past each other
  • Keep meetings from dragging on unnecessarily

How to Fix It

  1. Clarify early. At the start of a meeting, take 1–2 minutes to define the key terms that will come up.
  2. Ask the “dumb” question. If you feel misalignment, pause and say, “Before we continue, can we clarify what we mean by X?”
  3. Document it. Write down the agreed-upon definitions so the team has a shared language moving forward.

It may feel like slowing down, but it actually speeds everything up. The small act of aligning on definitions saves hours of confusion later.

Final Thought

Shared definitions aren’t about nitpicking words — they’re about making sure everyone truly understands each other. Because progress only happens when the whole team is on the same page.


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Branden Hernandez


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