84. Use Precise Speech

Master leaders use language that moves people. They speak with precision and clarity. They demonstrate flawless use of vocabulary fashioned for their particular followers. They know how language shapes people and cultures. They rely on terms that have a transformational effect on listeners. They know that the right word serves as a powerful agent to prompt people at every level. They know that their choice of words reflects who they are, what they believe, and how they view the world. The best leaders influence others more effectively through accurate speech.

Pick up a thesaurus to beef up your knowledge of more precise terminology. Most people have between 2,000 and 10,000 words in their working vocabulary. The English ...

Get The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.