Leaders- Are You Creating or Destroying with Your Words?
Seldom do we stop to think about the power we have to create- or destroy- with our just our words. As humans who are conditioned by habit- it’s been estimated that up to 95% of what we think, say, and do every day is on auto-pilot- we often act and react thoughtlessly with little regard for the consequences of those actions, however unintended.
In his global best-selling book,The Four Agreements,author Don Miguel Ruiz talks about this power:
“The word is a force; it is the power you have to express and communicate, to think, and thereby to create the events in your life. You can speak. What other animal on the planet can speak? The word is the most powerful tool you have as a human; it is the tool of magic. But like a sword with two edges, your word can create the most beautiful dream, or your word can destroy everything around you.
The human mind is like a fertile ground where seeds are continually being planted. The seeds are opinions, ideas, and concepts. You plant a seed, a though, and it grows. The word is like a seed, and the human mind is so fertile! The only problem is that too often it is fertile for the seeds of fear. Every human mind is fertile, but only for those kinds of seeds it is prepared for.“
This week in one of my Mastermind groups, we had a robust discussion of this reality, especially when it comes to the responsibility that Leaders have to be impeccable with their words. I’ve worked for some terrific, thoughtful, intentional Leaders in my life, and for that I’ll always be grateful. Their choice to be impeccable with their words when it came to feedback, both positive and constructive, made me a much better leader in my own regard, no question.
On the flipside, I’ve seen people who call themselves Leaders who were careless with their words, who operated with the mentality that it was the responsibility of the direct report to adjust, adapt, and interpret their words with little regard for how those words landed, or for the fertility of the soil of that particular person. I’ve seen people who have been devastated- even careers destroyed- by this kind of arrogant, narcissistic, thoughtless, and completely misguided approach to the awesome responsibility of being a Leader.
Leadership is a privilege. In addition to parenting, public & military service, being in a position of Leadership is one of the most impactful roles any of us can occupy. Our people often spend more time with us than they do their own families. Leaders can launch, obfuscate, obstruct, or even destroy the lives of others in this highly influential position. Every interaction is an opportunity to uplift, celebrate, guide, instruct, advise, or correct our people. Intention matters. Words matter. We are ALWAYS being observed, whether we realize it or not. We are ALWAYS on stage. Give that responsibility the conscious thought it deserves before choosing your words, because they matter. You DO get to choose, you know.
