Attitude is contagious. A negative attitude spreads – but thankfully so does a positive one!

Attitudes tend to flow downhill. Not always, but more often than not, it is the attitude of the leaders that influences the attitudes of the group.

Our words are powerful. The way we talk about things impacts how we experience them. As leaders, when we speak negative, hopeless, or critical words about a situation, that will lead the others around us to feel negative, hopeless, or critical of that situation. Conversely, if we speak positive, hopeful, or constructive words as leaders, that will cue the people around us to feel more positive, hopeful, or constructive, even when facing a challenge.

Two Bible verses on this topic are:

Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death; we will dine on the fruit of our words.

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

So as leaders, know that your words carry extra weight. The way you speak about people or situations or problems will influence others around you as to how they should feel about that person or situation or problem.

The power of a problem can either be amplified – or subdued – simply by the ways we talk about it as leaders. So speak life! Speak purpose. Speak solutions. Speak hope.