Let's talk about "LeaderSpeak"

LeaderSpeak is a verbal trick used by poor leaders to Push or Pull people into going along with what the leader wants. Leaders who engage in LeaderSpeak are not truly Leading People because effective leaders do not Push or Pull people.

Here's an example of LeaderSpeak from today's media:

Today's media reports President Bush as urging "Americans to resist a temptation to retreat from Iraq..." (here's the full story).

Framing withdrawal from Iraq as a temptation is a brilliant LeaderSpeak move. Americans have "avoiding temptation" deeply ingrained at them from an early age, as we learned that temptation is a sin and something to be avoided.

The further brilliance of this statement is it sets up a perfect rebuttal towards anyone who argues in favor of leaving Iraq. Notice the LeaderSpeak use of retreat as well - retreat is a word that is loaded with shame in America. Americans never retreat - or at least so the cultural message goes.

By powerful combining the religious power of temptation with the shaming power of retreat in a single LeaderSpeak phrase, Bush effectively pushes people into following along, as well as cutting off any dissenting voices.


On the other hand, Great Leaders.....

...avoid LeaderSpeak like the plague.

Great leaders value dissenting and opposing voices, for they know that wisdom can often be found in dissent and opposition. Great leaders are willing to risk saying what is important for them, as well as the vision they hold for the organization they all -- all without needing to resort to rhetorical trickery and deceit.

What's at stake? The emotional engagement of the people in any given organization (or nation). Currently, the lack of emotional engagement in our employees is costing America around $360 billion (that's billion with a "b") per year.

What's it costing your organization?

Have a LeaderSpeak story from work you'd like to share with others?

Email it to me at Tim at blackbeltconsultants.com