The Indisputable Power of Words: Thoughtful Ways to Inspire Your Team

You’re hired. You’re fired! Will you marry me? We need to talk.

Words are our most powerful currency, with the capacity to inspire or deflate, clarify or confuse and even unite or divide us. Once we’ve spoken the words, they can’t be taken back, creating an immediate and lasting impact.

As someone who leads with Communication as a CliftonStrengths talent, and who uses my words daily to connect with others, I am constantly reminded of their power. I’d like to share some ideas for you to consider as you create meaning with your words in your own day-to-day interactions.

“Remember your words can plant gardens or burn whole forests down.”

Words set the tone.

Many times, before people hear your words, they feel your words. When you say, “This will be hard, but I believe in this team,” you’ve conveyed confidence and encouragement.  On the other hand, when you change the statement to, “This will be hard, and I am not sure how we will get through this,” you’ve planted seeds of doubt and discouragement which can grow and spread faster than any weed you have ever seen! As the poet Gemma Troy put it, “Remember your words can plant gardens or burn whole forests down.”

Words shape culture.

The best company cultures are shaped by clear and consistent communication. Messages such as, “We will lead with integrity in all we do,” or “Thank you for your continued dedication,” form the building blocks for how people think, behave, work together and care for your members. Additionally, strong company cultures are built on consistent messages that are followed up by consistent actions.

Words build or break trust.

According to Psychology Today, “Trust — or the belief that someone or something can be relied on to do what they say they will — is a key element of social relationships and a foundation for cooperation…..Indeed, society as a whole, would likely fail to function in the absence of trust.” Clear, honest, and transparent words, even when delivering a hard message, build credibility. Vague, sugarcoated messages or messages followed by conflicting actions quickly erode trust.

Words Inspire.

The best messages don’t just inform, they ignite! Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t say “I have a five-point plan.” He said, “I have a dream.” Compelling words can serve as a call to action that moves people from passivity to engagement. Well-chosen words can inspire a shared vision and elevate an everyday task to a purpose-driven action.

One of my most favorite things to do is to encourage or inspire people with words. I frequently send handwritten cards to friends and co-workers with the goal of bringing a smile, lifting a spirit or inspiring hope. As you enjoy some well-deserved time off this summer, let me leave you with some words of encouragement that you can implement in your daily interactions, in your work and personal life. These thoughts and phrases came from our team here at Vizo Financial and I hope they inspire you as they did me.

• Treat others with love and kindness.
• Be grateful and find the positive.
• Create a plan and follow-through.
• Appreciate the life you have.
• You don’t have to do it alone, ask for help.
• Use your PTO. Spend time with those you love.
• Just because you are struggling does NOT mean you are failing.
• If you don’t make time for health, you’ll have to make time for illness.
• Give others the benefit of the doubt.
• Enjoy it now!
• Surround yourself with people that fill your cup.
• Make someone smile.
• Be respectful, honest and don’t give up!
• Let whatever you do today be enough.
• Each day is an opportunity to learn.
• Have compassion.
• Return the grocery cart.
• Earn respect by giving respect.
• Don’t judge a book by its cover, you never know what people are going through.

Have a wonderful summer and remember the power you wield… watch those words!

Jeanne Heath is the director of cultural engagement and learning for Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union. Ms. Heath has spent the bulk of her career conducting training within the financial services industry with a strong focus on technical and change management training during mergers and acquisitions. Jeanne has developed and implemented a dynamic onboarding program which immediately immersed new employees into the company culture of “positively impacting people’s lives” through an atmosphere of high performance, high accountability and high care. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and has earned her Credit Union Development Education (CUDE) designation.