Everything hinges on how and what a leader communicates. There has been so much emphasis on actions and not words; we have undervalued the power of words. As leaders, actions reinforce what is spoken.
We don’t want to discount the power of actions but bring value back to what we say. What are you speaking? What language are you teaching others to speak?
Lolly Daskal, Founder and President of, Lead From Within™ says, “for leaders, language is a vehicle for making decisions, enacting practices, measuring results, and sharing innovation and creativity.” Your influence and success as a leader depend on communication and ability to convey vision, values, thoughts, and ideas. Words go beyond conveying meaning. We use words to evolve our ideas and beliefs into concrete reality. Words are critical when it comes to vision fulfillment.
Webster’s defines communication as “the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.” Communication is more than words and includes body language, attitude, and tone. Body language, attitude, and tone are directly affected by what you say, which comes from what you really believe.
Language shapes culture and is an indicator of unity and cohesiveness.
The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Genesis 11:6
Culture will happen intentionally or unintentionally. Every church, business, or organization has its own unique culture. There are different factors that shape culture, but none so prominent as words.
What type of culture do you want in your church, business, or organization? Are you setting your team up for success or failure? But wait, don’t answer yet. Often times we as leaders have a false sense of reality when it comes to culture. Our desired culture is only a myth in our mind while others live in a reality we are unaware of. Enlist getting feedback from others. Have them use words to describe what they feel the current culture is. Do they use the same words that you would use to describe the culture? If not, then the team is not in unity and the lacking in cohesiveness.
This verse in Genesis illustrates the unity principle. In Genesis 11, people began to build a city and a tower that “will reach into heaven.” It also says that they spoke the same language. Nothing would be impossible for the people as long as they spoke the same language. Language is an indicator of unity.
As leaders, be intentional with your words. Begin to build a vocabulary to shape the desired culture of your church, business, or organization creating unity and cohesiveness. Culture doesn’t change over time and takes work. Measure your progress by listening to what others are saying. If you cast vision, be consistent in your speech, and reinforce your words with actions, you will move forward creating a culture that is poised for success and building a team that is cohesive.
Key Leadership Thought: Your words have power and directly affect your influence as a leader.
Begin to speak differently today!
