The Aspen Institute

Terminology is important. The words or names we use to label and describe a program, project, innovation, or movement can make or break the success of those initiatives. With our words, we can inspire, describe, motivate, and engage. In the same vein, we can also unintentionally confuse, alienate, or repel. In our work to understand the messages, narratives, and themes that leaders are using to describe “blockchain-powered credentialing technology” and “self-sovereign identity solutions,” we came across dozens of terms that describe the same general body of work. This brief describes our findings and makes some early recommendations for language and messaging strategies that may resonate more with employers.