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 Language
Matters
March 2007
In this age of instant information people are
pressed to respond quickly and communicate concisely. Yet
our results do not often reflect our intention to do so. This
is where language can accelerate your efforts.
We use language casually. We may mean one thing
but often say another. One way to demonstrate your
leadership capability is to become aware of how often you
use language that does not support you to accomplish what
you set out to do.
We create our own results.
Each month we address a common word or phrase that is counterproductive
to the results you wish to achieve. Many are built on the
notion of “restrictive motivation,”
a psychological term indicating an internal pain-based
motivational system. Most people I know were raised
that way. (“If you don’t clean your room, you
don’t get your allowance.”) Fear of loss is a
great motivator. However, over time it becomes exhausting.
There are better ways to motivate yourself and your
team.
That said, there are always exceptions and sometimes restrictive
language is useful and necessary.
The best leaders know when to use it and when to
lose it.
Word
of the Month
March 2007
“RELATIONSHIP”
You are in “relationship” with anyone or anything
with which you interact. Even if you don’t care much
about whatever or whoever it is, let’s say the lady
at the dry cleaners or the carpet on your floor, you’re
still in a relationship with them. You’re in a relationship
with everything. It’s just that most of us
don’t recognize that fact. We think relationships involve
other people. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don’t.
For example: What’s your relationship with money, or
authority figures, or mechanical objects? (If you think to
yourself as you approach the computer, “I hope it doesn’t
freeze up on me,” it probably will.)
You’re in a relationship with everything in the world
around you. It’s helpful to figure out what kind of
relationship you want and then think (and feel) your way towards
that desire – what you do want – rather
than running away from what you don’t want.
You determine the quality of all your relationships
(with everything!)
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Leadership
Language Archives
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