“Speak softly and carry a big stick” is an old saying. However, it has implications regarding how impactful leaders communicate effectively.
This blog entry is a collection of LinkedIn posts for the week of April 26 through April 30, 2021. Each post presents a precept from the Book of Proverbs. These entries cover: integrity, effective communications, appropriate priorities, avoiding a “little knowledge,” and awareness of how I affect others. The focus here is on how impactful leaders communicate effectively.
How do others see me?
I believe reputation is how others see me. Thus, I should focus on integrity-driven actions. Why?
Because reputation is an outcome. What I control are my responses and choices. When leaders focus on sound character, reputation follows.
Similarly, Proverbs 22.1 say a “good name” – a positive reputation – is my greatest wealth.
Leaders “have a reputation for” things said and actions taken. So, choose integrity to build a desirable reputation.
Agree? Disagree?
Can an impactful leader speak softly while carrying a big stick?
Bluster, threats, and yelling don’t correlate to effective leadership. Hence the phrase “speak softly.”
Instead, leaders are impactful by encouraging, inspiring, and convincing – all shared “softly.”
Similarly, Proverbs 15.1 notes that a soft answer diffuses anger in a tense situation.
The “big stick” is achievements that matter to the organization. However, influence demands the “big stick” be applied with integrity.
Important but NOT urgent!
Ever work for someone who was habitually busy – being a busy body?
I suspect those who micro-manage have time to do so because they’re ignoring strategic aspects of their job. They’re driven by the urgent. But, they never recognize what’s most important.
Similarly, Proverbs 26.6 warns against giving responsibility to someone who lacks capacity to deliver.
Impactful leaders find team members who execute strategic priorities – those things which are important but NOT urgent.
A little knowledge is deadly!
I think knowing a little about a topic is more problematic than knowing nothing.
The danger with a little knowledge is that I become complacent and overconfident, and stop learning. I never move on to deeper knowledge that’s truly transformative.
Proverbs 19.25 warns about simple mindedness, that is, being shallow and naïve. It also warns about being an arrogant know-it-all. However, it observes how discernment can multiply if I’m teachable.
One take-away for leaders is to be a life-time learner. Don’t be content with little knowledge. Most certainly, don’t become overconfident given the rapid changes and depth of challenges we face.
What’s my impact?
Leaders must know the difference between:
1). Believing that words/actions have an impact
2). Behaving like words/actions have an impact
Why? Because it’s deadly to be clueless about how I’m affecting those around me.
Similarly, Proverbs 20.7 says integrity blesses my children, while Proverbs 13.22 says my inheritance blesses my grandchildren! Thus, my character has both an immediate and a long-term impact.
So, for each interaction today, be conscious of the implications so you can maximize your impact.
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