Online Reporter
Rutendo Gwatidzo
Changing Perspectives
They loved each other, but they spoke carelessly. Every disagreement came with sharp words.
Sarcasm replaced conversation. Silence became a weapon. Over time, respect for each other disappeared. One day, the relationship ended not because love ran out, but because words broke what love was meant to protect.
That same story is quietly unfolding in many relationships be it friendships, family, church or organisational.
Organisational Status!
In corporate settings, many relationships fail the same way. Not through policy breaches or strategy errors, but through language. Managers embarrass staff in meetings.
Leaders send emotionally charged emails. Feedback is delivered with frustration instead of clarity and the same keeps on repeating until relations break.
As Maya Angelou said, “People will never forget how you made them feel.”
In the workplace, how people feel directly affects how they perform. When they feel good, they perform good most of the times and when they feel bad, they are most likely to perform bad also.
Tone Creates Culture!
Culture is not built in strategy sessions, it is built in daily conversations and actions. The tone leaders use becomes the standard that others follow. Respectful language creates psychological safety. Careless language creates fear and silence.
Peter Drucker’s warning still stands to this day, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Language is one of culture’s most powerful drivers.
Harsh language can create immediate compliance, but it destroys trust. Eventually employees stop contributing ideas or taking initiative. They will start doing work out of duty instead of passion and the results in most cases is mediocre. Trust is the glue of life and the most essential ingredient in effective communication.” Once trust is damaged, performance suffers.
Correct Without Crushing!
Strong leaders correct behaviour, not identity. They are firm without being demeaning. Public humiliation may feel decisive, but it permanently damages credibility.
Winston Churchill reminded leaders that “The price of greatness is responsibility.” I believe that responsibility includes managing one’s language.
Silence Is Also Language!
Avoiding difficult conversations is not kindness, it is negligence. Unspoken expectations can create confusion. Silence, in most cases signals disengagement.
Call to Action!
Mind your language in meetings, emails or even performance reviews as well as moments of pressure. You can still say the same thing differently.
Because words shape culture, culture shapes behaviour, and behaviour drives results. And both relationships and organizations rarely collapse from the commonly big mistake but from many small words left unmanaged. Be wise, and mind your tone always.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is a human capital executive and managing consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy. She is a multi-Award winning leader, transformational speaker and coach. She is also the author of Born to Fight and Breaking the Silence books. Contact details – 0714575805/ [email protected] / Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official FB public page.
