Key words for leaders.(extra credit)

Successful Leaders Put Language to Work

I've worked with many excellent leaders over the years and no two were exactly alike. Some had great technical knowledge, while others had great vision. Some were charismatic and inspirational, while others were introspective and insightful. But no matter what gifts they brought to the role of leader, they all had one thing in common: their primary tools of leadership were words.

Leaders use language to inform, inspire and persuade. Whether through speeches, vision statements or annual reports, a leader has to find the right words to connect employees and managers with each other, as well as with other stakeholders.

And when we're trying to understand organizational culture, words are critical! The way people talk about their work, how they describe their customers, the job titles they use and how they speak with co-workers all help to define the culture. But sometimes you have to listen very carefully to catch a sense of the organization's culture. Slogans, posters and marketing campaigns, which are highly visible in some organizations, may not reflect the true culture. It's what their leaders and employees say that really defines a winning culture.

Key Words Can Inspire Bottom Line Results

"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is ... the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."--Mark Twain

Language can be tricky, as Mark Twain observed. How often do we choose the wrong word, or use a term out of context, only to have it blow up in our faces? If you're a presidential candidate these days, the answer to that question is "often." And if you're an organizational leader, you have to be very sensitive to how your language impacts others. Do you use language that clarifies, motivates and inspires? Or does your language tend to confuse, discourage or demoralize?