Author: Owen Miles, VP Solutions Engineering EMEA at Restrata
Author Bio: Owen Miles brings 20+ years of experience in operational resilience and has been instrumental in helping 800+ companies implement and realise the value of resilience solutions.
Date: 5 Dec 2025
Blog Series: ‘Miles to Go’ – Exploring the foundations of resilience & continuity
#15 – The Resilience Vocabulary: Why Language Shapes Action
The Resilience Vocabulary: Why Language Shapes Action
Words matter – especially in a crisis.
The language we use to describe risk, response, and recovery shapes how people behave. If “incident” sounds minor, it may not be escalated. If “emergency” feels too dramatic, it may be ignored. If “continuity” is misunderstood, it may be misapplied.
I’ve seen plans fail because terminology wasn’t clear. Teams hesitated because they didn’t know whether they were in a “critical” or “major” event. Leaders delayed action because the language didn’t match the urgency.
Resilience requires a shared vocabulary. One that’s clear, consistent, and understood across the organization. It’s not just about semantics – it’s about speed, clarity, and coordination.
This vocabulary should be embedded in training, systems, and communications. It should be reflected in escalation paths, decision trees, and response protocols. And it should be tested – because language that works in theory may not work under pressure.
When everyone speaks the same resilience language, response becomes faster, smoother, and more confident.
And when language is misaligned, even the best plans can fall apart. Because in a crisis, clarity isn’t optional – it’s essential.
Call to Action: Review your crisis terminology. Is it clear, consistent, and actionable? Align your language to support fast, confident response.
Next Week: We’ll explore the resilience curve – and why maturity matters more than size when it comes to readiness.