The Power of Words

Taking time to show appreciation, say a kind word or right a brief note can have a lasting impact. Too often we discredit a simple gesture thinking that it lacks the flair and ability to be quoted on social media when the simple may be the most impactful and long lasting.

Several years ago I listened to Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard share the story of a life changing health scare he had and how it helped to change his perspective on life. It was very real and showed the kind of man and leader that he is.

Later that day I decided to send him an email thanking him for speaking to our group and sharing his story. He's a busy man leading a Power 5 University and likely wouldn't see it or would just skim through it and move on to something much more important. How wrong I was.

A few days later he sent me a hand written note and a leadership book that he had read in the mail. The leader with 1,000 things to do took time to say Thank You and encourage someone he had never met or would even recognize passing on the street.

I keep that note as a bookmark in every book that I am read to help remind me of two things.

1) It is impactful to take time to encourage someone with a kind word or gesture, even if you may never cross paths.

2) Words, rather spoken or written, can have an impact long after they are shared.

Use your words wisely and as a way to build others up. They are more powerful than we may ever know.