Language Matters: The Double-Edged Role of Linguistic Style Matching in Work Groups

Abstract

Linguistic style matching (LSM) refers to a similar linguistic style among conversation partners. We examine the effects of LSM on perceived team performance and perceived social support in real work groups. We propose that team tenure moderates the relationship between LSM and perceived performance such that LSM and performance are positively related for teams with low tenure and negatively related for teams with high levels of tenure. We also propose that LSM and perceived social support are positively related. To test the hypotheses, we videotaped and transcribed meetings of 160 researchers, nested in 26 teams, to assess the individual levels of LSM. We measured team performance and social support with questionnaire scales. In partial support of the hypotheses, multilevel models show a negative relationship between LSM and team performance and a positive relationship between LSM and social support. We discuss potential implications for team research and practitioners.