I once heard Jordan Peterson say, “If you can think, and write and speak, you are absolutely deadly.” By deadly Peterson meant, powerful. You can become a powerful force in the world by using your words well. However, there is another meaning to the word deadly; to cause death. The book of Proverbs summarized the paradox this way, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).
I agree with Jordan Peterson. If you can learn to think, and write and speak, you will be absolutely deadly. Share on XAs leaders, our words shape our leadership. Our words determine how people experience us as leaders. Your staff will forget the decisions you made, the strategies you developed, and goals you accomplished but your staff will never forget how they felt in your presence. How others feel, depends a lot on the words you use.
Your words shape your leadership. Your words determine how people experience you. They will never forget how they felt in your presence and how they feel depends a lot on the words you use. Share on X
The bible has much to say about using words wisely. Here are eight pieces of wisdom from the scripture:
Choose life-giving words to bless others not curse them. James 3:10 says, “Out of the mouth come blessing and cursing.”
What you say in this life, echoes in eternity. Matthew 12:36-37 says, “But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Your words reveals the way you think. Sirach 27:6-7 says, “A man’s speech reveals his mindset, do not praise anyone who has not yet spoken, since this is the way men are tested.”
Silence speaks volumes. Proverbs 21:23 says, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
Your words have weight. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Gracious words help you become the salt of the earth. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Your words reveal the state of your heart. Matthew 15:11 says, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
One mouth, two ears. James 1:9 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear and slow to speak.”
Words are powerful. You know this to be true. “Much of who you are is a result of the words that have been spoken to you, about you and over you,” (Andy Stanley). As a leader, use your words to build people up, encourage their hearts and fill their spirits. Use words that become the wind in sails, not anchors on the boat.
Much of who you are is a result of the words that have been spoken to you, about you and over you - Andy Stanley. Share on X