The Power of Small

Fri, February 10, 2012 - 12:11:09

Words Can Hurt You

We’re another week into the hotly contested battle for the Republican presidential nomination and once again, we’re seeing how the POWER OF SMALL is playing an important role in shaping the race. As you may recall a few weeks ago, one little, involuntary facial expression landed frontrunner Mitt Romney in hot water. And now, it appears, a few poorly chosen words are causing him even more controversy.

In a live CNN interview Wednesday, Romney remarked, “I’m not concerned about the very poor.”  Although the comment was part of a larger statement in which Romney was attempting to demonstrate his focus on helping the Middle Class, it was quickly taken out of context, making Romney an easy target, and more importantly detracting from his message.

It’s just another example of the power even our littlest words possess. In Romney’s case, his attempt to appear more “in touch” with the average American became completely counterproductive with just a few words.  A small aside can have the power to overshadow your main message, and derail your attempts to connect with others. Although there’s an old adage to the contrary, the truth is words can hurt you, personally and professionally. And that’s why it’s essential to consider what you say carefully. So, before you make an off-the-cuff remark, give yourself a minute, listen to what others around you are saying, and consider your audience. Because, as we’ve seen, a few little words can have very big consequences.

Posted by Linda and Robin