Words…

Good morning dear reader & welcome to my world for another week. In bringing my thoughts to you today, they are one of reflection. On words, & words create worlds.  Every single one of us could can I suspect go back in our minds to the teacher or coach or grandparent who spoke life-giving words to us.  We can remember how much wind it put in our sails when they said or indicated those four magical words to us… “I believe in you.”

We can also go back in our minds to hurtful & attacking words which scarred us.  And even though it may have been years ago, we can remember it & still feel the emotion of it like it was yesterday. The words in our past echo in our present & they continue to shape our lives today.  Words have incredible power. 

This is doubly true for you as a leader.  As a leader, your words carry more weight & they have more staying power.  Your words get amplified & magnified. Through the years I have been amazed how many people have come up to me to thank me for something I said to them because it impacted their lives.  The scary part is how often I did not even remember saying anything to them. 

So, I want to spend this week talking about how we can manage the power of our words. We need to become experts at speaking words of encouragement. To be honest it is tough out there in the world. We do not live in a grace or love filled world.  In this world, you get what you pay for (sometimes).  NO free lunch.  NO cutting in line.  Eye for an eye.  Tooth for a tooth.

Like the great philosopher, Norm, from Cheers said “It’s a dog eat dog world and I’m wearing milk bone underwear.”

And here is a thought.  It does not cost anything to do this & it does not require an item in your budget. This is about sensitivity and love and kindness. Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.  [1]

The biggest enemy to encouraging people with your words is not meanness or selfishness, it is HURRY.  So, slow down today & speak blessing into someone’s life. We should also learn the art of good delivery.

What is the difference between a good pitcher and a great pitcher? DELIVERY, & maybe steroids. To use another analogy, the most dangerous part of any airplane flight is the landing.  And just before the airplane lands, they will talk about the plane being “on approach”.  The approach is critical for a successful landing.  Your approach with words is critical to successful relationships.   [2]

It is the “right words” which bring satisfaction.  And it is not just the right words, it is also the right delivery of the right words. Learn to be soft with your words.  When you have to have a hard conversation, think ahead of time not just about “what” you want to say, but “how” you want to say it.

By the way, you can be clear & still be soft. 

In my life, the biggest roadblock to soft words is an empty soul.  When I am running on fumes, my words are cutting, not kind.  When I am leading on empty, my words are too often cynical, not soft.  [3] It is at such times as these, I try to remember the song from the Bee Gees:

Smile an everlasting smile
A smile can bring you near to me
Don't ever let me find you gone
'Cause that would bring a tear to me
This world has lost its glory
Let's start a brand new story
Now my love, right now
There'll be no other time
And I can show you how, my love
Talk in everlasting words
And dedicate them all to me
And I will give you all my life
I'm here if you should call to me
You think that I don't even mean
A single word I say
It's only words, & words are all I have
To take your heart away.

So, today, manage the power of your words well.  And remember, what you say matters!

Thank you for taking the time to be with me once again. I hope my journey may encourage you also. This is Kenn Butler in Paradise, Nelson, with my best wishes for the weekend ahead. I look forward to being with you all again next week.


 
www.kennbutler.com [4]