How is your verbal footprint? Do you know your influence?

Today I had to cancel two meetings because I was unwell. If I'm going to be brutally honest, it is because some of my burnout symptoms returned as I had stopped looking after myself, putting into practise all the things I teach!

When I sent a message to both meeting attendees I had very different responses and it set me thinking how we speak to each other and the impact we have. One person, who I have never met, responded that he has very good listening ears and if there is anything he can do to help it would be a pleasure, he completely understood. This was such a relief. The second person responded with a message that made me feel both guilty and inadequate. It wasn't an intentionally unkind response it was just not very thoughtful, possibly sent very quickly and without thought as to the reaction it might create in me.

Do we stop to think about our words and how they impact the person who receives them? I think this is especially important if we are a bit stressed, overwhelmed and exhausted ourselves as we tend to do more things, speak more quickly and with less thought.

Aaron Barnes, CEO of BRM Institute, highlights the importance of positive language in elevating your business communications to drive value. Our words impact how the other person feels and acts. He explains that shared positive language will promote effective communication and collaboration; breeding innovation, success, and organisational value. This is what we want in our schools isn’t it? Can we overlook this area? We know statistically that when staff feel valued, they are happier, more productive and more likely to thrive (and stay!).

Your verbal footprint consists of the influence and impact you have with both your words, your tone and also your body language. It includes the psychological and emotional effects of your words.

Did you know the 7-38-55 rule? This rule, popularised by Albert Mehrabian, suggests that 7% of a message is conveyed through words, 38% through tone of voice, and 55% through body language. Does this surprise you?

This must impact how we send written messages to our teams. We have the capacity to build up, intrigue, excite, relieve, inspire or crush, to name but a few options.

If you are rushing through your day, trying to fit in more than you realistically should, or can, how are you coming across to those around you?

Brendon Buchard suggests we stop outside a door before entering. We take a few breaths and decide how we want to walk through that door. Will we walk into a classroom, tell the class we have so much to do, I know we are all exhausted, but we need to get going asap. Or do we stand up straighter, remember why we do this, walk in with energy, smiling, welcome everyone, tell them that today you are going to introduce something new and exciting that might help them think differently about life?

Can we agree to take charge of our verbal footprint? What might that look like for you? How do you speak in a large meeting, to a pupil, in the staffroom? What signals are you giving off? You have the potential to build up, encourage and inspire those around you.