The Language of Leadership

Jim Clawson

The Darden School

University of Virginia

Some Definitions

If names are not correct, language will not be in accordance with the truth of things.

Confucius (c. 551-479 B.C.)

POWER is

the ability to get others to do what you want them to do.

LEADERSHIP is

1) the ability and

2) the willingness

3) to influence others to change willingly.

It's not the critic who counts. It's not the man who points out where the grown man stumbles, or how the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who actually is in the arena, who strives violently, who errs and comes up short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who if he wins knows the triumph of high achievement, but who if he fails, fails while daring greatly, so his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States

1. BEHAVIOR

2. THOUGHTS

3. VALUES AND BELIEFS

LEVELS OF HUMAN ACTIVITY(for Leadership and Change Management)

Searching for LEVEL THREE LEADERSHIP

In Paris they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language! Mark Twain

Language is

the light of the mind.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

EFFECTIVE LEVEL THREE LEADERSHIP LANGUAGE

ClearRespectfulStimulatingCongruent

Men employ speech only to conceal their thoughts.

Voltaire (1694-1778)

CLARITY in LEADERSHIP LANGUAGE

Un-Clear

If only everyone talked the way we do in my household. I mean. . . if only everyone . . . like . . talked . . you know. . . the way we do . . . right? It would be so much . . . like . . . easier . . . you know . . . to understand . . . right?

Robert Nordell

Clear Picture of where we want to go: vision.

(Not a gift, requires hard work and thinking.)

Hopes and Desires Plan Expectations/wants Invitations

Respectful

Recognizes potential value: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country

Caring (What are your outcomes?) Listening (What’s your view?) First Person “I” or “we” statements Descriptive not judgmental Takes time

Stimulating Engaged,

passionate, focused on Level Three Challenging

to established routines, beliefs and values Creative Memorable Intent Related humor and metaphors

Congruent Truth telling:

Welch: Be candid with everyone Promise Keeping Consistent

With actions: Walking the Talk With followers’ goals

No Disguises or Deceptions No Manipulations

SELF DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS

Clarity: What do I want? What do they want?

Respectful: What can they offer? How does our mission need them?

Stimulating: What will get their attention? How can I demonstrate my commitment?

Congruent: Can I be honest with them and me?

It’s just semantics . . . .

Yes,

and the words we choose and how we deliver them make all the difference.

E-prime:

English minus the “is” stative verbs. What do we really know as “fact?” How does our self-talk influence our

feelings and vice verse? How can we be more accurate in our

statements? How much is opinion? Can we be honest

about that?

If thought corrupts language,

language can also corrupt thought.

George Orwell

Some Additional Tips

Replace your “buts” with “ands.” Don’t disguise statements as questions. Speak in the first person. Describe rather than evaluate. Persuade respectfully, don’t coerce. Seek first to understand

THE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP is

ClearRespectfulStimulatingCongruent

Languages are the pedigrees of nations.

Samuel Johnson

The language of leadership is the mark of an educated firm and an effective leader.