Communication is central to our relationships and thus to our community.

How we speak to one another is the key to strong bonds and fundamentally to leadership. Everyone has the power to be a leader and that leadership can lead people toward the good or toward the bad. Rhetoric is the tool to take people there.

In Mark Wiskup’s The “It” Factor he argues that when we open our mouths our goal is “to make something new happen, to shake things up – in a big way, a small way, or a medium way.” “All talking is about change.”

The big question is: Am I aware of the effect my speech will have?

Leaders need to be continuously aware of the impact of their words. When you speak, speak with intentionality. There is NO SUCH THING as a casual conversation. Within the context of your organization, you are always the leader. Sure it’s a pain to constantly inquire “what will this person take from this conversation?” but it is an important consideration.

People using their speech for negativity need to be sent out of the group, separated from the people they could influence. It’s not enough to try to keep people away. People will seek them out. You must be quarantined away from all. That is how contagious negativity can be.

Everyone should be thinking about what we say, to whom, and perhaps most importantly how we say it. There are great resources out there to work on our communication, such as The IT Factor, How To Talk So Your Kids Will Listen series, Fierce Conversations, or to get a conversation started at work, try the youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4LNYH_5III&feature=related.