Words can hurt

Bite sized leadership advice

Words can hurt. We respond to language and how it is used.

Words trigger emotions inside of us which we react to. Words such as ‘stress’, ‘relentless’, or ‘pressure’.

Each of these creates a reaction in our body, sending defensive chemicals throughout. Once the defensive wall is raised it takes a while for it to come back down, meanwhile we are closed minded and defensive, ready for fight or flight.

Positive words work too. Smiling and word images such as ‘clouds drifting through a sunny sky’ generate feelings of being outside.

When people are going through change, it feels tough.

Our discretionary thinking is dedicated to rebuilding the mental model in Our heads. If we are feeling pain from the change there is a good chance that our language may feel hurtful too.

Assume positive intent. It isn’t about you, it is what the person is feeling inside. It is the situation, not the person.

As a leader remember that words can hurt and heal, always assume positive intent. Think before you speak. What feeling do you want your words to leave?

This is part of our Leadership Wizdom series, bite sized leadership advice for leaders who wish to improve their leadership, but don’t have much time. For more indepth articles check out The Change Wizard