How Leaders Connect: Build Workplace Relationships - Step #5
Speak Life with Your Words: The Leadership Skill That Changes Everything.
If trust is the currency of leadership, your words are the bank.
Seriously, words either deposit confidence or withdraw it.
And too many leaders are running emotional overdrafts with their teams.
That’s why I’m so passionate about this current series, How Leaders Connect.
Today, we’re wrapping up this series with Step 5: Speak Life with Your Words.
Sounds simple, right? But lets be real:
If you’ve ever worked in a toxic workplace, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
That constant tension. the side-eyes in meetings. The walking-on-eggshells feeling that drains your energy before lunch.
Tired of the tension? Worn down by workplace conflict?
Let’s turn your stress into strength and your communication into connection.
📞 Book your free discovery call now - and let’s move from conflict… to clarity.
👉 www.leaderspathway.com/contact
But strong working relationships? They’re not just ‘nice.’ They’re necessary.
Trust isn’t optional.
…it’s essential for teams that actually get stuff done.
So today, in the final post of our “How Leaders Connect” series, we’re diving into one of the most underrated leadership moves you can make":
👉🏽 Step 5: Speak Life with Your Words
But Wait… Isn’t That Just Giving Compliments?
Great question.
And here’s the honest answer. Nope. 🙅🏽♀️
Speaking life is about far more than handing out high-fives and ‘good jobs.’ It’s about showing up with words that build trust, and offer clarity, even when the heat is on. Because when you lead with life-giving language, people don’t just listen - they lean in.
They rise… they engage... and they start believing they belong.
Your words matter....
Make sure your words build others up… not break them down.
Are You Ready to Lead Like That?
If you’re thinking, “Okay Velma, I want this kind of leadership in my team - but how do I actually get there?”
I’m so glad you asked.
👉🏽 Visit LeadersPathway.com —
It’s where leaders like you go to grow with practical coaching, confidence-building tools, and real-talk resources that work.
Let’s build stronger workplace relationships that actually last.
The Story: Janet, Deadlines, and the Real Test of Trust
Let me introduce you to Janet.
She was a new hire on my team back when I was leading at a major company — big role, big expectations, big shoes to fill.
Janet left her previous company after eight years. This wasn’t just a job change; it was a cross-country move, a leap of faith, and a crash course in “learn fast or get left behind.”
From day one, I laid out the expectations.
And I could see it in her eyes: this was going to be a stretch.
But y’all — Janet showed up.
She was one of those people who doesn’t wait for perfect instructions. She digs in, asks smart questions, and figures it out.
More importantly, she did what she said she would do — every single time.
She had this way of looking at problems like puzzles instead of roadblocks.
I started trusting her not just because of her performance, but because of her patterns.
She followed through. She kept her word. She didn’t dodge the hard stuff.
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The Twist: Almost Missing the Deadline
It was the Friday before a Monday deadline for a high-stakes project she was leading. My phone buzzed.
“Can we talk? I might not hit the deadline.”
I froze.
This project was not optional. It was a big one. Executive team. Eyes on us. Missing this deadline could tank our momentum.
I called her.
She calmly explained: A vendor hadn’t delivered key data despite multiple follow-ups. Then she said something that instantly shifted the tone:
“Here’s what I can do. I’ve already started creating a backup plan using internal data. It won’t be perfect — but it’ll be ready.”
Let me tell you… by Monday morning, that backup version was solid. 👏🏽 It impressed everyone.
But more than that, Janet’s honesty, ownership, and calm under pressure reminded me why I trusted her.
That’s what speaking life looks like.
It’s not just praise — it’s clarity, consistency, and communication under pressure.
Develop The Valuable Leader In You!
If you’re tired of being overlooked, underpaid, and unsure of your next move, this course is for you.
3 Practical Ways to Speak Life (Starting Today)
Want to start speaking life as a leader? Here’s how:
✅ 1. Replace vague praise with specific feedback. Instead of “Good job,” try, “The way you handled that difficult conversation and kept the team aligned — that’s leadership.”
✅ 2. Speak up early when challenges arise. Own the issue. Offer a solution. Don’t wait until someone else finds the problem first.
✅ 3. Use words that lift, not label. Avoid “lazy,” “difficult,” or “high-maintenance. Instead, say, “I believe you’ve got more in you. Let’s figure out what’s holding you back.”
Your Words Shape Your Leadership Legacy
Here’s the truth: People may forget what was said in the meeting… but they never forget how a leader’s words make them feel - especially when trust is on the line.
So here’s the challenge: Whose confidence can you lift today with your words? Whose trust can you earn - or rebuild - by speaking life?
Don’t wait.
Speak life. Speak up. And be the leader who makes it safe for others to do the same.
🔁 Don’t Forget… If you’re ready to go deeper and grow stronger, I want to personally invite you to👉🏽 LeadersPathway.com
You’ll find coaching, courses, and resources designed to help you connect, communicate, and lead with confidence.
Let’s make it happen — together.
I’m cheering 📣 for you!
P.S. ➡️ Listen to the Podcast here