What best leaders say to their teams

I saw a quote the other day and it made me think of the phrases or words that the best leaders say to their teams.

The quote was:

The best leaders make you feel like you are capable of things you didn’t know you could already do.

What do you think of this quoted statement?

Things leaders say

I am a huge fan of being a master of your own words, as well as silences. Whether it is in a meeting, in 121 session, or while chatting in the kitchen, what you say – or don’t say – matters so much.

There are three phrases that I feel can make a difference in how your team or team members behave and respond. They are:

• “You’ve got this”
• “I see you”
• “I trust you”

You could argue that they are all linked to each other.

So much goes into being able – as a leader – to say to a team member something as simple as “You’ve got this”. This means you’ve learned this person well enough to know what they are capable of, what quality of their work is, how dependable, inquisitive and trustworthy they are…

I personally really like saying these three phrases. The effect they have on a team member is tremendous. I love observing how their body language changes in an instant. Most of the times, they straighten up and smile.

I’ve dealt with many people who truly did not care what they were saying to me or someone else. This made me want to be better than them. And be very intentional with my words, my pauses, my silences.

Words are like toothpaste

As a leader, we have the responsibility to make others feel safe, seen and trusted around us. And what we say, or don’t say, continuously shapes the Team into a Great Team.

After all, words are like toothpaste – once they are out, you can’t ‘put them back in’.

What are the phrases that you say that have a positive impact? Is there a quote that you go back to that has shaped you? Let me know in the comments!

(PS. If you’re new here, Hello! Glad you’re here 🙂 This page is for leaders who never stop learning, and if you are new to a leadership role, I’ve created a guide to help you navigate the first weeks of your new role – A Learning Leader’s Guide)

Feature image by Gastro Editorial on Unsplash