Centered Leaders Speak Calmly

Do you like to be yelled at? Does it get your attention? Does it spark resistance and make you NOT want to do what the other person is yelling about?

You don't yell at YOUR people, do you?

Well, maybe we do all yell sometimes. Maybe not. It's part of the human experience. Heated emotions sometimes do erupt in loud talking. But, seriously, is it effective? What are the long term effects?

Yelling creates tension. Sometimes that tension can lead to a positive change in behavior, but when it does it's more likely the communication skills that eventually emerge or take over from the loud talk, rather than the loud talk.

Emotion may supply energy, and that energy still needs skill behind it to move positively rather than cause more damage.

Centered leaders, leaders who operate with a balance of clarity, courage, creativity and compassion, speak calmly.

As I once wanted to say to someone who was in the habit of yelling at me, "I heard you the first time you yelled at me, but not much after that."

Get energized, get emotional, get passionate about what you believe in; and then deliver your message calmly and persistently. Communicating for results can be exciting, vital, even urgent.

But please don't yell.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

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