Conversation and Communication: Words Are Powerful
Conversation and Communication: Words Are Powerful
Conversation is our greatest tool to connect with others. Our words and non-verbal cues can either enhance or diminish our connections, through communication. They either build trust or create distrust. It would have been so helpful and life-changing if we had known from a young age the power our words hold. What we do with them and how we use them matters.
Words carry emotion, which you have felt when you’ve had good conversations and not-so-good conversations. Think about a time when someone you love or look up to said something to you that didn’t feel good. When you replayed the conversation in your mind, something still felt uneasy. The emotions of conversations can affect us years later. This is what I mean when I say that our words carry energy and have the power to light others up or tear them down.
As you have conversations with others this week, something to help you become more aware is paying attention and journaling each day about how you feel in your conversations. What people, what words, what topics lift you up and help you feel connected to others? What conversations leave you feeling lousy or depleted? Ask yourself: What happened in the conversations that triggered you to distrust the other person? What aspects of the uplifting conversations built and supported more trust? This is a great exercise that opens your awareness and understanding of your words and the power they have on you and others.
Moment of Introspection & Leadership:
I discovered upon entering the beauty industry over 20 years ago that I wanted to become a better communicator. I knew my key to success was not based solely around my technical skillset; it was going to be based upon how well I communicated and connected with others.
That awareness has grown stronger and more passionate over the years as I’ve learned and paid attention to the fact that in order to do anything big in life, we need to know how to be better communicators.
This became my life’s work. It ties into all the roles I play in my life, the biggest one being a leader and helping other leaders understand how to become skilled communicators.
My certification in Conversational Intelligence® was the link I needed to develop my background in neuroscience and the resources to help leaders in all industries. My book, presentations, webinars and speaking engagements have provided me with a platform to reach more people. I’m grateful for this opportunity and I invite you to step further into understanding the power of your conversations.
Two books I found very helpful as I began this journey are Fierce Conversations and Coaching for Performance. Let me know what you think and how they help you develop your conversational skills. You’re always welcome to check out my upcoming offerings, such as my new Intelligent Conversations online course beginning in January! See below for more info.
“We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.”
— Max Depree
REFLECTIVE & DISCOVERY QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHTS & JOURNALING
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
What makes a conversation valuable for you?
FOR YOUR TEAM DAILY HUDDLE
How could we communicate better as a team?