Think about the times when a few well chosen words, spoken at just the right moment, helped you to:
- gain the strength to persevere and accomplish more than you thought was possible.
- heal your spirit as you recover from a setback or a loss.
- gather the courage to make a change in your career.
Yes, words have incredible power. And they gain more power when you speak the right words at the right time to the right person.
But, the wrong words, spoken at the wrong time can have a devastating effect. The wrong words can:
- damage your self-confidence.
- dampen your enthusiasm.
- deter you from advancing in your job, your career, or even your life.
Your words impact others. Your choice of words makes a difference in the how your listener reacts. It's your choice. Do you want to lift people up or put them down? Do you want to prepare your word choices - in advance? Or are you content to just say something - and hope for the best?
Think about what you are going to say - long before you have the opportunity to speak. Choose your words carefully. Practice speaking them - aloud. Repeat them until you have internalized them. Repeat your words until you "own" them - until they cone from your heart - not just from your mouth.
Not sure about which words are the right words? Just think about the words that people say to you. How do their words make you feel? Which words and phrases lift you up? How do you feel feel when you hear these positive words? Now think about the words and phrases that deflate your spirit. Why does this happen to you? Is it just the words? What about the tone of voice that the speaker used - did their tone of voice affect how you heard the words? Yes, it did!
Do you take time and care in choosing the words that you choose when speaking with your clients? Your direct reports?Your friends? Your family? If not, why not? Think about the difference in meaning that a word can make the next time that you deliver an employee performance evaluation. Better yet, reflect upon the words that your boss used when they last reviewed your performance. How did you react? Why did you react that way? What would you have preferred them to say? How would you have preferred them to say it?
You always have a choice in selecting the words that you use in any situation. Choose them carefully. Consider the impact that your words have on others. Is this the impact that you want? It is your choice.
"The wrong words at the wrong time discourage me, The wrong words said at the right time frustrate me. The right words said at the wrong time confuse me, The right words said at the right time encourage me." - John C. Maxwell
I encourage you to carefully consider - and practice speaking - your words before your next conversation. If you want to encourage others to produce positive outcomes, choose the right words of encouragement!
Danny Rocks is the Catalyst for The Company Rocks - http://www.thecompanyrocks.com - Danny is a speaker, a trainer, an author and a consultant. Danny focuses on helping clients to improve their business communications skills.
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