Words matter. Use these ones to engage and empower your teams:
- You. Focus on “you” in personal ways during conversations with staff. It shows empathy and compassion and it contributes to persuasion.
- Imagine. Use this when brainstorming to encourage people to think outside the box and be creative.
- Because. It is essential to give people specific, relatable reasons why you want them to do something.
- Now. This conveys immediacy. However, don’t overuse it or toss it around casually or it loses its power.
- Believe. When people believe in what they’re doing and what their work means, it encourages them to overcome limitations.
- Guarantee. This puts people at ease and remove uncertainty. However, only use it when you are absolutely positive that you can make a guarantee.
- Act. This is a call for urgency. It increases people’s confidence that they’re on the right tract and that they can accomplish goals if they move forward.
- Help Ask staff for help when you need it. This helps them to see you as human and just just the boss.
