Back in the good old days, like the 70’s and 80’s, we didn’t have mobile phones and CB Radios were all the rage. In a moment of nostalgia, (yes I’m that old), I looked up the “Ten Codes” that were popular with truckers, and still are. There was a whole culture wrapped around this language. Remember “Smokey and the Bandit”? Some friends and I decided to play with using these at work. If you don’t appreciate the era you may not get the humor but for those that do I recommend you give this a try, preferably in a meeting among people who will likely have no idea what you are talking about. It’s also good for when you want to talk in code during a group chat for those that work remotely. I’ve provided a few examples for your entertainment. Feel free to create and share some examples of your own…
10-1 Receiving poorly – (“I was totally 10-1 in that meeting”)
10-3 Stop transmitting – (“I wish that guy would 10-3”)
10-4 OK, message received – (“10-4 on your request for a pay increase.”)
10-12 Visitors present – (“can’t talk now I’ve got a 10-12, if you know what I mean.”)
10-21 Call by telephone – (“can you give me a 10-21 after the meeting?”)
10-24 Completed last assignment – (“Dude I am totally 10-24 on that project.”)
10-34 Please send help – (“We’ve got a 10-34 in the product meeting.”)
10-35 Confidential information – (“Check out the 10-35 I heard in the break-room.”)
10-37 Wrecker needed – (“I just got out of the financial review, 10-37 please.”)
10-70 Fire at… – (“We have a 10-70 on this software upgrade.”)
10-75 You are causing interference – (“Hey, stop the 10-75 on my project!”)
10-100 Restroom stop – (“This meeting is way too long, I gotta take a 10-100”)
For more 10-codes check out – http://www.cbslang.com/10-codes/
We had a great time with this game and at the same time it reminded me of how each organization ultimately creates a language of its own. In fact, as you spend time in an organization you begin to observe how the language is a reflection of the culture. As you participate in meetings and conversations with your team try to put yourself in the position of an outsider. What would you take away from the words, phrases, inside jokes, etc. that you hear. What does this tell you about how people really feel in the organization? What are the beliefs and values you hear in these formal and informal conversations? How does the language change depending on who is or is not present? What does that tell you?
“The aim of language…is to communicate…to impart to others the results one has obtained…As I talk, I reveal the situation…I reveal it to myself and to others in order to change it.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre
If you are leading cultural change I encourage you to listen carefully to the language of the organization. When it starts to change, especially in the informal conversations, chances are you’re making progress.
CB’s? What are those? New type of cell phone? These codes would be really helpful on Twitter and text messages. Imagine the characters you could save. How about if we add one for all the college students out there? 10-15 “Send money in the amount of . . . “
Didn’t you see the picture? Man I was totally using that CB as a cell phone. Ok that’s not really me but if I could have figured out that rig it would have been. Hadn’t that of this as a great tool for texting short hand but you may be on to something. Of course based on my kids texts they have already reduced most words to about 2-3 letters. :)
Scott, wow, memory lane had me laughing. I can immediately start hearing the ridiculous country songs, too….
Oh so very true—my cousin and I used to build model semi trucks and pretend we had a trucking company. We’d radio each other from down the hall. I had a CB in the back room of my mom’s restaurant. I still remember my call sign and handle. I had the CW McCall album and I wasn’t even a fan of country music. Them wuz the good old days. :)
I’ve got a CJ5 with a 4 wheel drive and a Smokey’s on my tail! haha
Scott, we’re not THAT old….are we!? I do remember CB’s. I suppose that ages me too. (sigh)
All fun aside. We can learn quite a bit about any organization and the people involved by taking the time to watch and listen. As I’m sure you know, we can pick up quite a bit about many things about people and the environment. What people like/dislike, believe, specific mindsets, interests, what they feel is safe to talk about in one setting and not safe to discuss in another, etc.
Actually, unless you know the language of the culture you are in…the specific lingo and terminology used, there is little success in inspiring any specific and necessary change. The culture and the people in it ‘as it is’ and ‘as they are’ must be understood first. Speak their language.
Without understanding, influencing any type of needed change (without force anyway) is difficult.
That said….I have a 13 year old that I’m still trying to figure out her ever-changing lingo and her specific ‘culture’ right now! lol She declares I’m behind the times. (grins)
Fun post Scott. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Samantha…I had this really deep topic I was wrestling with and then on whim just decided to play with this idea of CB talk just for fun. Sometimes a little levity is needed. Most of our leadership discussions are oh so serious. Besides it did provide a good metaphor for how language is a reflection of culture…and truckers definitely have their own culture. Great points to add to the idea of how language and culture interact. Thanks for sharing.