“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

This old adage is often used in response to insults, implying that one is not affected by words like physical attacks can. But this saying couldn’t be farther from the truth, at least in a literal sense. 

Some people are more resistant to verbal attacks than others but that doesn’t mean words are harmless. Words can hurt. Especially when they come from people we love, respect, or admire. Fortunately, this also works the other way around.

Words of encouragement, especially from people we care about, are impactful. As a leader, you need to recognize and understand this power to wield it properly. Depending on how you talk to your people, your words can either break them or make them.

What does it mean to ‘encourage’?

Oxford Languages defines encouragement as “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.” To encourage is to inspire action, which makes it critical in leadership. When a leader speaks words of encouragement, they express their belief and appreciation in the qualities and values possessed by their followers. 

It’s important to note that encouragement isn’t only done during times of setbacks and self-doubt. A person who is struggling and another who is celebrating success equally need encouragement.

Why leaders should speak encouragement

The words of leaders hold great power. Regardless if you’re respected, admired, or hated, how you speak will inevitably affect other people one way or another. Even if you’re not in a leadership position, you shouldn’t downplay the power of your words.

After all, a leader can be anyone — someone who has an official ranking or a staff member asked to take charge of their team. Even without an official title, other people may value your words greatly when they see you as a leader. 

Encouragement from a leader can be the spark an employee needs to bounce back from a setback. It can also be the extra fuel someone needs to exceed their boundaries. 

How encouragement works

It provides awareness

Encouragement works well as positive feedback. When you encourage others, you’re letting them know what you think of them and that you care about their success. While encouragement shouldn’t tell people they’re perfect and they cannot fail, it should point out the desirable qualities they possess and the great things they have done and should continue to do so. Encouraging words from a leader can help a person better understand how they’re perceived by others. It also helps them recognize their own abilities.

It strengthens belief

When you encourage others, you are recognizing what they’ve accomplished and their ability to accomplish more. Encouraging words help people continue believing in themselves because they know the people, whose opinions they value, believe in them. In times of failure, encouraging words can be exactly what a person needs to pick themselves up.

It develops confidence

Confidence goes a long way in achieving success. When people are encouraged by their leaders, they become aware of what they can achieve and their self-belief strengthens. Consequently, they become more confident. Instead of backing away from opportunities and challenges, they are more likely to seize them. When they fail, they are more likely to try again.

It builds attitude

Self-awareness, self-efficacy, and self-confidence all contribute to overall better mental health. When you help your people achieve these states of being through encouragement, you make them feel better. They will carry a more positive attitude and maintain a healthier mental state. 

It promotes action

Ultimately, encouragement pushes people to act. When employees acknowledge their ability, believe in themselves, and are confident, their capacity for action expands significantly. They will be eager to take on more difficult tasks and will be enthusiastic about exploring new opportunities. Setbacks won’t keep them down for long as you’ve already helped them develop resiliency. 

Encouragement is for everyone

No matter how bad or how well a person is performing, it’s still important to encourage them. It also doesn’t matter where someone sits in the hierarchy — leaders need encouragement as much as their people do. You should encourage someone who’s in a difficult situation to help them gather the strength they need or encourage someone who just pulled off a great feat so their success may continue.

Just because someone exhibits strength, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t provide them encouragement. The top performers of your team may not need to know they’re doing great, but knowing that their leader believes in them can help them achieve even more.

How can you be more encouraging?

We’ve already established that words are powerful, but how effective they are will be dependent on the leader’s image and the manner in which they give encouragement. To make your words more encouraging, you must be:

• Observant – words of encouragement that are broad and vague feel hollow and insincere. Those that are specific, on the other hand, carry more weight as it shows that you really care about what your people do. A leader needs to be watchful of the people around them and take interest in the details of their work so they can provide genuine encouragement.
• A good example – your words of encouragement should be backed by your own successes. When you succeed or persevere through hardships, people will place greater value on your words. People you’ve encouraged will find inspiration in your personal victories.

Conclusion

Words can hurt, but they can also empower you. In leadership, encouragement is a powerful tool that allows you to direct people towards a path of improvement and success. Words of encouragement build self-awareness, self-efficacy, and self-confidence — all of which contribute to building proactiveness and perseverance. An encouraging leader is one who is watchful and leads by example. 

Successful or struggling, everybody needs encouragement and their leader is among the best people to provide.