5 ways to steward your words

Jan. 31, 2018

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As a biblical leader, it’s important to steward wisely your words as they have a ripple effect greater than you can imagine. With all your reflecting and planning for this upcoming year, did you consider how you might use your words to make a greater impact in the lives of others? Did you stop to weigh how changes in your words might radically alter the outcome of this year?

There’s still time.

A day doesn’t pass where your words aren’t influencing the thinking, behavior, or development of another person. You lead, create, and influence with the words you speak. Think about the last words you deposited in the minds and hearts of your spouse, kids, parents, friends, boss, colleagues, staff or even a comment you posted on a social site. With a little more intentionality, would you have made a different kind of deposit?

Your words carry with them the power to bring life and truth or to sow the seeds of negativity and death. 

If you are looking to make a positive change in the new year, then why not add the stewardship of your words to your personal development plan for 2018? To get you started on what that might look like, here are five ways to steward your words for greater impact.

Set clear expectations.

Communicate clear expectations. It is seldom a good idea to assume that others know exactly what you need or want if you’ve never expressed them clearly in a verbal or written format. When you make sure that your values and expectations are fully understood, you remove ambiguity and unleash the possibility for constructive candor, and perhaps even healthy conflict.  With more of both, alignment may occur without bruised egos. 

Offer instruction.

Actively look for opportunities to share your knowledge.  Don’t withhold the wisdom you’ve gained through years of experience. Knowledge past on is power amplified. If you have the answer or an important insight, contribute it for the benefit of accomplishing a desired result.

Deliver truth.

It is easy to back away from giving honest feedback. You may even angst over difficult conversations, or finding the right words to share with someone who needs to be more aligned with a given purpose. Check your motives and then determine to communicate truth in a manner that will not tear down but rather, will build up individuals with their best interest as your core objective.

Give encouragement.

Look for the good in situations and in others. Find ways to lift someone’s spirit.  Most people are wrestling with difficult circumstances in some area of their life. Pay attention to what is happening in the lives of those around you. Listen to what others say, and then be quick to speak words of encouragement.  Your words might provide the needed motivation and impetus to great achievement!

Show gratitude.

Find a reason to be grateful and lavish others with appreciation. ‘Thank you” affirms a person’s value and contribution.  Giving thanks brings a spirit of calm and confidence to you and those around you. It is easy to focus only on expectations and then to speak incessantly on the areas that need improvement without acknowledging the positive. If you dwell there and focus only on what is wrong – the blessings you neglect may one day cease to exist.  

The intentional stewardship of your words may be one of the ways you achieve your greatest impact as a leader in this new year!

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. —Matthew 12:36-37, NIV   

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