Powerful Words

Words are a powerful thing. Can you remember words from your childhood that affected you as a kid and maybe still do today?

The words leaders use are powerful and impactful. A recent study at Stanford by Gregory Walton and Priyanka Carr show that motivation rises when the word “together” is used. “Together” conveys an emotional sense of partnership even when people are physically separated. Furthermore, the study reveals that the sense of togetherness generates motivation. It’s the mere idea of togetherness that seems to make the difference. Walton and Carr point out that many life activities, although done alone, can still stir the sense of togetherness. For example, while researchers may work alone it’s their collective effort that results in an experiment. Likewise, marketing consultants may work in their specialty area (i.e., social media, printed collateral) but it’s their combined effort that creates the marketing campaign. Walton and Carr’s experiment reveal that the mere inference of working together increases motivation.

In their study experiment participants were gathered together and were told that they would work on a complex puzzle. They were then separated into rooms. One set of participants was told that they’d work “together” and get a tip from another participant. The other set of participants was simply told to work on their puzzle and nothing was mentioned about working together. They were told a tip would come from a researcher. The distinction was that one group was treated as though they were working together while the other group was not. What did this research show? The individuals who were treated as though they were working together persisted longer on the puzzle, reported greater interest in the task, became more engrossed in the activity and overall performed better. So simply feeling as though they were “together” caused an increase in motivation.

The Stanford research also indicates that “together” is particularly helpful when the task is challenging and complex. It’s the sense of being on a team together, with each person contributing their part, that stimulates motivation.

As a leader your words can positively affect the motivation level of your staff. The simple use of the word “together” is a good place to start. Mix it up with other words like collaboration, alliance and partnership. By just paying attention to your language you have the ability to boost motivation. And when motivation is up it only makes sense that team cohesion is also fueled. A motivated and cohesive team is exactly what any leader wants. Not only that, but the Stanford research shows us that performance increases, too, when a sense of togetherness is instilled.

So, today find a way to weave “together” into your conversations. And continue to do this every day and in the days ahead. Then do your own experiment. Sit back and observe what happens. See if you can discern a greater sense of motivation, cohesion and performance in your team. Experiment away!

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Heather Backstrom is an executive coach, leadership development consultant and speaker. She has a doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University. She can be reached at www.heatherbackstrom.com

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