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Recognizing language as central to our humanity opens tremendous possibilities for satisfaction and growth.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Hello. I’m Tony Mayo, the Business Owner’s Executive Coach … with one quick idea you can use in your business today.
One of the core concepts of executive coaching is that we, as humans, exist largely in language. Now, I know there’s a real, physical world out there and if you bump up against it you could get hurt. Right now, I’m not talking about bricks and buildings. I’m talking about what makes us …human. I say that our humanity emerges from the words we use, both out loud to others and silently, to ourselves. What you say and how you say it, whether it’s inside your own head or outside in the world, our language determines who we are, what our relationships are like, and how we create results.
If you have any doubts about how defining language is for being a human being, I refer you to someone who lived without language for the first seven years of her life, the famous Helen Keller. She reported that she didn’t have any real thoughts …before she learned to use and understand words. … That before she acquired language she didn’t have emotions but experienced only vague sensations. Helen Keller declared that —until she had language— she simply was not a living human being.
If you want to be fully human, if you strive to
be the best, most effective person possible,
use the best, most effective language available.
I’ll be giving you lots of examples in these podcasts, and on my blog, but for now, pay more attention to who you are, based on what you’re saying …to other people and to the most important person, in your human life …the one who lives inside your human mind.
Ask yourself, is your language consistent with who you claim to be? Are the words you use …supporting your values and aspirations? Are you as responsible and conscientious with how you speak of your work as you are about doing your work?
Don’t just parrot familiar phrases and time-worn excuses gleaned from your past. Avoid using the word “But” when you mean “and”… Watch out for saying “I’ve got to” when you are making a choice. Be clear and honest about the quality of ideas and work products while, at the same time, being kind and generous to the people creating those ideas and work products. (This applies to how to speak about your own ideas and work products, too). Choose to use words that serve you. Words that support your chosen future.
Thanks for listening to this podcast.
I hope you enjoyed it, that you apply it, and
share it.
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