Words matter more than we realize in leadership. The choice between saying 'resources' or 'people' can influence team culture. Language sets a tone and shapes perceptions, impacting dynamics at a subconscious level. A practical exercise helps leaders identify 'green' and 'red' words to foster inclusivity. This insightful discussion emphasizes how our language reflects our values and can enhance communication for a psychologically safe workplace.
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insights INSIGHT
Words Shape Leadership & Mindset
The words we choose literally shape our leadership and mindset at a subconscious level.
Language influences culture deeply, affecting both speaker and listener implicitly.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use Green/Red Word Lists
Create a green and red word list to consciously use positive language and avoid negative terms.
Post the list visibly for your team and hold each other accountable in everyday conversations.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Encourage Positive Language Use
Correct colleagues respectfully when they use undesirable terms to reinforce preferred language.
Celebrate and acknowledge the use of positive language to encourage cultural change.
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Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Leadership IS Language!
The words we use matter.
You may not think much of using terms like “resources” rather than “people” or “I” vs “we” but at a subconscious level these words start to infiltrate our minds. For both the person using them and those hearing it.
Perhaps you’re thinking, ‘I have tough skin’ or ‘I don’t mind when people use these terms’ but even if that’s true, that’s not the case for everyone and it sets a tone. It influences the fabric of culture.
As the old adage goes: “‘Watch your thoughts, as they become your words; watch your words, as they become your actions.”
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