Words Matter: Master How You Speak to Transform Your Life

In the past decade, I’ve pivoted in my approach to conveying messages. I’ve seen that there’s nothing better than humorous word play that can quite capture the attention of my intended audience. There have been m00any instances throughout my reading journey that I’ve come to discover this.

When Lindy West says in her book Shrill that being fat had made her invisible and too visible, I understood the immense power of words. One of the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program, the Homeboy Industries, has an amazing slogan. “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.”

When I read about the state of socialized medicine in Canada (I’m making no political attributions here please), that palliative care doctors aren’t necessarily trained to communicate effectively with patients, and with long lines of potential patients waiting to hear them out about cough or cancer, how can the conversation be as succinct and at the same time humane as possible?

Whether you’re using communication to address conflicts or advocate for yourself, words carry responsibility. In the era of fake narratives, social media being leveraged by crooked politicians as a tool of propaganda, our biggest tool of freedom for expression, can also quickly become a weapon.

Whether you’re expressing an original thought or formulating a response to someone else’s message, here are a few aspects of great communication to consider:
1. Active Listening
2. Brevity and Effectiveness
3. Diction and Vocabulary
4. Content and Delivery

So much about words, but there’s also an important reminder for engagement. In some cases, the lesser said the better, and in other cases, even silence can speak volumes.

Words convey who we are and the values that we stand for.

Building bridges of trust or at the heart of every conflict.

If you’re parent, engage in words that show how your children matter for who they are, not necessarily for who they’re capable of becoming. When children feel loved and secure in their own selves, they build the confidence to do what they set out to.

If you’re salesman, and who is not one in this world where we’re either selling our ideas, our products or services, use it show the value you generate through your product or service you offer. Explain what is in for the customer who chooses to invest in it. Whether you’re a brand, startup, or individual, empathize with others’ experiences. Connect with children, customers, and colleagues.

If you’re a partner or a spouse, you already know that its often the lack of communication or the gap between the intent of the words spoken and interpreted is the reason for fights and conflict in relationships. If you become a victim of gaslighting, it’s because the other person is trying to manipulate your sanity.

Our words must show our true selves, complete with our imperfections which make us relatable. Our words shape our reality and how we talk to ourselves can propel us forward in a positive direction and our kind words to others can empower them.

There’s a dichotomy of choices in front of us. We can use manipulative, critical, hurtful, deceptive words to propel others into negative action. Or we can use helpful, truthful, inspirational, supportive, uplifting to direct everyone’s efforts into positive action. What would you rather choose?

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“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” ~ Ludwig Wittgenstein

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