Three Minute Leadership: On Words
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
In her book, The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield writes: “There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic.”
Great leaders recognize the power and awesome impact of their words. They know that “Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts” as Patrick Rothfuss, author writes. Words open the eyes to see, the ears to listen and the heart to feel. They are touching points, our connectors with others. They not only convey our requests, actions and feelings, they also tell the world who we are. As such, Frank Outlaw, entrepreneur, counsels us: “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
Use your words to inspire, motivate, recognize, thank, respect, create trust, build confidence, challenge, encourage growth and so much more. One word can change a life forever. As Mother Teresa said: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Let your words be the powerful gifts of change in the lives of those whom you serve. May they reverberate in their minds and hearts that they, too, will echo them for others to hear. The magic that they have worked in you will then make its magic in others. Remember always, however, the words of author Jodi Picoult: “Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall.”
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
Mike
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