Words that Encourage

There are four important words that encourage.  Pay close attention…these are not the words that are actually spoken.  It is the place from which the deliverer of encouragement issues it. 

Words That Encourage

“How do you identify someone who needs encouragement?  That person is breathing.”  These are the famous words of Chick-fil-A Founder Truett Cathy.

Our Leadership Team is currently reading the book, The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace:  Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People.  Thirty-seven of our upper level leaders get together in small groups to discuss a few chapters every two weeks. 

The book can transform a leader’s line of thinking.  The ultimate case the author makes is that job satisfaction isn’t about pay, it’s about feeling appreciated.  People who feel appreciated, are encouraged to be more and do more.  

The content of the book applies not only professionally, but personally too.  Life and leadership can often run parallel to each other. 

Each week when we read the book, there are words that emerge for me.  If we are going to be better at delivering the outwardly expressed words that encourage, we must deliver them from an inward place that matters.  Here are four ways our words that encourage should be delivered:   

Genuinely

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word genuine as, “Sincerely or honestly felt or experienced.”  It is real.

Disingenuous encouragement isn’t real.  The recipient can detect the lack of sincerity from a mile away.  Its manipulative approach discourages, not encourages.    

When encouragement is delivered genuinely, it connects.  It is unmistakenly sincere.  The honesty leaves no room for misinterpretation.  The intention is clearly to encourage.         

Authentically

I struggled with this one.  I tend to use these words interchangeably.  In fact, I will often use them in the same sentence.  So, I did a little research.  The word I found that separated authentic from genuine, was origin.  Basically, where does it originate from?

The origin of our encouragement comes from our hearts.  When the words that we encourage with originate in our hearts, it’s evident where they come from.  Words that derive from the heart are always authentic.    

Meaningfully

In the most recent small group study, I wrote the word “meaningful” in the margins.  Meaningful words have purpose.  They create a layer of depth that connects with those we strive to encourage.  It adds layers to the intended purpose of the delivery.    

Meaningful words are laced with significance.  The ordinary words become extraordinarily profound, providing purpose behind the carefully chosen words that encourage.        

Specifically

Words that encourage can often be delivered generically.  Blanket statements like “good job”, “I appreciate you,” or “thank you for what you did.”  What exactly did they do a good job of?  Why do we appreciate them?  What are we thankful for that they do? 

While anyone would appreciate the above, it stops short of fully encouraging.  Specific praise greater affirms the encouragement.  Take “Thank you for what you did” to a different level.  What if we said, “Thank you for your willingness to stay late yesterday and complete that monthly report (insert any task), it was noticed and I appreciate the fact you made sure it got done for me.”

Specific words go further in the process of appreciation, advancing encouragement.  It generates longer lasting encouragement. 

Conclusion

I would be willing to bet that if you asked people in a position of leadership whether or not they needed encouragement to do what they do, they would likely say no.  The likely reason is that there is both societal and self-imposed pressures that the leader must have it all together.  Most are not vulnerable enough to admit that they too need encouragement.    

Whatever our leadership role is at work, at home, or in the community…WE NEED ENCOURAGEMENT.  It is the fuel that keeps us moving forward.  When we come to grips with how important being encouraged means to us, we truly understand the value it has to others. 

Do it genuinely, authentically, meaningfully, and specifically.  Do it regularly.  Do it often.