“Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”
~ Don Miguel Ruiz
“Its often not what you say, but how you say it that matters most.”
~ Anonymous
“Think before you speak! Is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, kind.”
~ Alan Redpath
“Be careful with your words, once they are spoken they can only be forgiven, not forgotten.”
~ Anonymous
“Language shapes ideas, thoughts, attitudes. Be mindful of your words.”
~ Lulu
As a young Executive Director, no one taught me how to be an administrator. Often flying on a lone wing I quickly learned about the attention paid to my words. And that my words hung in the room long after I had left. One of my first lessons, well learned, was that I had the position and privilege to speak and that privilege was not to be wasted or taken lightly.
Leadership is a BIG responsibility! It comes with the ultimate accountability of a mindful voice that leads in a kind, inspiring, helpful manner and most definitely done with clear expectations. The gift, a result of your own thoughtful voice, is the mutual respect, honesty and reciprocal inspiration it fosters.
How often do you find yourself saying ‘what was I thinking’ or ‘what were they thinking’? How often do we have the moment to be thoughtful and considerate of our words? This is a responsibility that clearly offers the ability to lead in a gentle yet concise and clear way. I would advocate, it is not what you say, it is how you say it and it is not what you do, it is how you do it! I encourage all of us in senior positions to care about the privilege to practice and mentor a thoughtful voice.
Written by Deborah Lavender, BMG Senior Consultant
Photo Copyright: neftali77, 123RF
