The Message of LeadershipSample

BAD TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH

"Gossip is a sort of smoke that comes from the dirty tobacco-pipes of those who diffuse it: it proves nothing but the bad taste of the smoker."
-George Eliot

Can you control your tongue? Few have mastered this small part of human anatomy. I have heard it said that the only time some people open their mouth is to change feet! A foot is sure to leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. The tongue is a powerful force that can be used for good or evil. Try to master yours if you can.

Some leaders don’t realize the power of the words coming out of their mouth. Everything they say has an impact just by virtue of their personality and position. And because they are in charge, there is often no one who will point out their faults.

I had a friend in college who was always criticizing others. It got so bad that I found myself thinking about ways to avoid spending any serious time with him. Then it hit me that I had a responsibility to redirect his thinking and behavior. I could be a positive influence in his life that might just help him overcome his negativity. I was truly blessed one day when he commented on the impact I’d had on him. He was greatly impressed by my kind remarks regarding others, so much so that it had caused him to ponder how he could improve upon this in his own life. I had preached a sermon by my behavior and he got the message loud and clear.

When you have something important to say, how do you go about it? When you have something that doesn’t need to be said, can you keep your mouth shut? Putting your foot in your mouth is only surpassed in recklessness by cramming your ideas down someone else’s throat—both can leave an equally bad taste behind!

Essential Insight 12: Learn to harness the power of your tongue and use it to do the greatest possible good.