We can practice democratic virtues in how we refer to our work as well. In Getting a Grip, Frances Moore Lappé, who has written extensively on world hunger and living democracy, suggests that we consider the difference between such words as consumers and buyers, regulations and standards. She asserts that we don't "consume" the products we buy because those products don't just disappear from the ecosystem when we're done with them. Similarly, "regulations" conveys constraint and oversight whereas "standards" signifies our commitment to excellence. Accordingly, she advocates that we use "standards" when "addressing our needs as citizens for clean air, water, and soil." Take a few minutes to reflect on what jargon permeates your workplace. Do you use words like "consumers", "regulations," "minimum standards," "high standards," etc.? Does your work jargon coincide with your company's vision and mission? What about its ethics? Does the language you and your coworkers use reflect the full life cycle of your company's products or services? If not, consider changing your word choices, and start talking to your coworkers about doing the same.
— Habib Todd Boerger, Frances Moore Lappé in Practicing Democracy at Work by Habib Todd Boerger