The Power of Words
words
While shopping recently I was within earshot of a supervisor openly admonishing an employee for what they considered an error in judgment. Her words were cutting and filled with sarcasm. Along with other innocent shoppers, I became witness to this bullying style of leadership and I shot sympathetic and supporting glances to the victim. I moved along quickly, sure the tirade would end once the audience had passed. As I did, I thought about the two women. I wondered what caused one to be so verbally brutal to others? Why didn’t the employee lash back? Was it out of respect, or possibly fear? Perhaps she was afraid she would her job.
Our words are powerful. Whether parenting, in business situations and even conversations with friends, our words can be pearls of wisdom or weapons of destruction. Choose them carefully.
- Think first… speak second.
- Encourage don’t criticize.
- Compliment in public, correct in private.
- Consider the receiver’s perspective.
- Lead people; manage situations.
- Eliminate sarcasm, negativity, and cynicism.
- Teach with tolerance.
What impact do you words have?
El Browning
November 10th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
The power of our words, a truer observation was never made. Words can be forgiven but never taken back. Their sting may lessen with time, but scars may remain. Thanks for your sensitive statement, a reminder to us all to think before we speak critically or sarcastically .