The Power of Words: How Subtle Language Choices Shape Your Success

Three keys to this weeks newsletter:

1. The Hidden Impact of Language: Understand how subtle language choices, such as using words like "want," "sorry," and "avoid," can undermine confidence and influence outcomes in business and personal interactions.
2. Self-Awareness and Change: Learn the importance of being aware of your internal dialogue and speech patterns to identify and overcome obstacles to positive change.
3. The Leader's Role: Discover how business leaders can use conscious language to foster a positive and empowering environment for themselves and their teams.

Happy Wednesday! I hope you all had a fantastic week so far and are ready to head into the weekend with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Last week, I had an enlightening conversation with a client who shared an interesting experience she had with a key stakeholder. During a crucial business meeting, despite having the best intentions and a solid proposal, things didn't go as planned. The other party suggested a change of direction.

Reflecting on the interaction, my client realised that her internal dialogue had set her up for that outcome. The words she spoke to herself conveyed doubt and uncertainty, undermining her positive intentions. This experience highlighted an important lesson: our subtle language choices significantly impact our outcomes in both business and personal interactions.

The Hidden Impact of Language

Consider this: When you say to yourself, “I really need this...,” you are telling your unconscious mind that you are desperate. Should you then be surprised when your voice pitch rises or when the person you're talking to feels manipulated??

There are many other words that can sabotage your inner confidence, but here are three to get you thinking:

• “Want”: When you use this word, you tell your unconscious mind about its helplessness and victimhood.
• “Sorry”: This word often acts as a confession of helplessness rather than a means of redress and change.
• “Avoid”: This suggests to your unconscious mind that you should pretend something doesn’t exist, rather than seeking a solution or creating an alternative pathway.

Self-Awareness and Change

This week, I encourage you to watch yourself and listen to the words you use, both to yourself and with your team. Pay attention to the words others use as well. We all have unconscious speech patterns, and some of them reveal the obstacles that keep us from change.

The Leader's Role

As business leaders, it's crucial to choose our words with care to ensure our message aligns with our intentions. By becoming more aware of our language, we can foster a more positive and empowering environment, both for ourselves and those we lead.

Let’s embrace the power of words and use them to pave the way for success and positive change.

Are you finding yourself ready for lasting and positive change? Each week on Monday and Friday, I send out an email blast with a common theme:

Friday Challenge:

A retrospective on the week that has passed with a small challenge to help you unpack your best and…

Monday Motivation:

A little jumpstart to ensure that you walk in with your right foot to the week.

My clients have told me they love the little reminders so I am offering this to you - it’s free to join and in keeping with my passion for non-sleazy sales, I can say with confidence that we won’t spam you with promises of bright and shiny objects.

Would you like to join?

Simply click this link and we will get you set up.

#Leadership #Communication #BusinessSuccess #PositiveChange