Most people aren’t as interesting as they think.
There are three reasons leaders are boring communicators. They are infatuated with their own ideas. They are explaining how to do someone’s job. Or they are trying to prove their competence. In the most toxic cases, all three are true.
You don’t have to be charismatic, just less dull.
You communicate with power when you speak to universal concerns.
Say words people need to hear, not things you need to say.
Don’t fall in love with telling people what to do.
Speak to nine primal questions. Anything you say to address the nine primal concerns elevates your relevance.
Here’s how…
I learned a powerful model I’m sharing today.
Learn to notice the trajectory of conversations.
More important, learn to open a door toward the intentional future.
Words are rudders. Skillful leaders understand the trajectory of conversations.
A mind is a terrible thing to spew when it’s a bubbling cauldron of brilliance. Practice strategic silence rather than blinding with faux wisdom.
Conformity disempowers. Strategic silence empowers.
The more certain you feel the more likely strategic silence is protection.
Practice strategic silence, not disengagement.
The first step to becoming a leader is in the heart. You learn to love people.
A person who loves people turns their focus outward.
The second step to leadership is practicing things leaders say.
Words without heart are meaningless irritants.
Thoughtless words are muddy roads.
You can smooth the way with things you say. Or your words make life hard for others and painful for you.
