Sticks and Stones May Break a Spirit

Leaders enable others to act

If you’ve ever been told “You’re not ready for that” or “That’s not in your wheelhouse” you know how powerful those words are. They are powerful in just how powerless they may make someone feel—sometimes for years afterward.

It’s really important, so I’ll say it again:

Leaders enable others to act

It’s one of The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership researched by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner.

As you seek to enable others to take control and act on their own initiative, avoid disabling statements like the ones in this article.