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The Weight of Your Words
Why Leaders Can’t Afford to Speak Carelessly
Ikechukwu Okoh
August 18, 2025
In partnership with
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Words are Powerful
I still remember the day a senior consultant, frustrated after a long shift, muttered to a junior doctor,
“Maybe this role is too much for you.”
He probably forgot he even said it.
But the younger colleague carried those words like a stone in her pocket for years.
Her confidence took a hit.
She second-guessed herself in every decision.
It reminded me of something I’ll never forget:
Leadership multiplies the weight of your words.
A sentence you forget can stay with someone else forever.
As a leader, you don’t just communicate.
You shape confidence, culture, and belief with every word you speak.
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The Power (and Weight) of Words
As a leader, your words aren’t neutral.
They either build or break.
A careless critique can erode confidence.
A thoughtful affirmation can spark courage.
A single sentence can change someone’s entire perspective.
That’s why intentional communication is one of the highest responsibilities of leadership.
The WORD Framework for Leaders
W - Weigh before you speak
Ask: Will this help or harm?
O - Own your tone
It’s not just what you say but how you say it.
R - Reinforce with clarity
Leaders must repeat vision, values, and encouragement more than they think.
D - Deposit daily
Don’t wait for big speeches. Drop small affirmations and clarity into everyday conversations.
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Ikechukwu’s Journal
This week, I reflected on a message I received from a former colleague.
She said,
“You probably don’t remember, but you once told me, ‘You have leadership in you.’ I’ve never forgotten. It gave me the courage to take my first senior role.”
I honestly didn’t remember saying it.
But it mattered to her.
That’s the weight of leadership.
Even your throwaway words can become someone else’s anchor.
What to do this week:
Pause before giving feedback, ask, “Will this build or bruise?”
Write down three affirmations you’ll share with your team this week.
Revisit your last hard conversation. Did your words create clarity or confusion?
If this edition resonates with you, forward it to another leader.
Better yet, please share it with your team and have the conversation together.
And don’t forget, next week, on Tuesday, a new episode of Fireplace Conversations will be live at 8 AM.
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Ikechukwu Okoh
Author of the Leadership Pulse
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