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Language Matters

It was not until I started to write my Doctoral Dissertation that I fully understood the power of word selections. By the time I had complete my 200+ page research I was a master at the use of a Thesaurus and Word Book. These were my late night companions while researching and studying the concepts of Mutual Leadership Support and Development. Language matters because it crystalizes the concepts and dreams of your mind so that others can see what you are saying.

The truth is that leaders rise and fall on the language they use. There are numerous examples of whole visions strategies that live or die on the basis of the words the leader chooses to articulate that vision. The right words set to a vision causes it to become axiomatic. It lives! It is remembered! It motivates to action! Others champion it!

People donate to it! It is a moment of clarity like no other. The very leaders I know wrestle with words until they are able to communicate their big ideas in a way that captures imagination, crystalizes action and energizes the spirit. Bill Hybels at Willow described once their effort in a closed door meeting to discuss how to motivate people to acts of compassion in a Vision Weekend they knew just telling people to be more compassionate (BIG YAWN) was not enough. They landed on the statement, “We are going to UNLEASH UNPRECEDENTED amounts of compassion into a broken world.” The mantra became, Raise the risk. Rethink. Unleash.

Make The Big Ask

After you cast big visions and dreams, you now are left for the BIG ASK! Asking for help is a big part of effectively leadership. When God inspires Kingdom glorifying ideas you realize that you have to be shameless in asking people to join you in this vision. Here is the little secret that no one discusses – people are quite flattered to be asked to do significant things for the Kingdom of God. Granted they cannot always say YES to your challenge, but they are always flattered that you would think enough of them to ask in the first place.

Beyond asking people, keep your asking as succinct and clear as possible. Think about the power of simplicity when asking:

• Tonight I am going to ask you to receive Christ….
• In a few minutes I am going to ask you to join our ministry team, but first I am going to give you four reasons why…
• I am going to ask you to pray about giving a significant gift to advance the Kingdom of God in this community…
• I am going to ask you to become a volunteer and join this Board of Directors…The truth of human nature is that we tend not to drift into better behaviors. We usually have to be asked by someone to consider taking it up a level. The big steps forward in my life have been through someone asking me to join the cause, program, etc.

  Language Matters and The Big Ask are two powerful Leadership Axiom’s, that when mastered will take your leading to a place of significance you have only dreamed about.

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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