Speak Your Own Words, Not of Others

Leadership today isn’t about commanding followers. It’s about walking together—where every step is shared, and every voice matters.  In meetings, public forums, or moments of crisis, you may be surrounded by colleagues—some with greater responsibility or longer tenure than you. Yet in that moment, you carry the voice of the organization.

So what should you speak?

Speak your own words.

Not borrowed jargon. Not rehearsed brilliance.

Not words to impress. But words that belong to you.

And words that people understand.

Speak the language of your colleagues—with your own words.

Your message should be clear, audible, and honest.

No exhibition of vocabulary. No performance of intellect.

Just clarity, conviction, and care.

Look through the eyes of those listening.

Don’t stand above—but with them. Sometimes behind them.

Don’t just inspire—challenge.

Don’t dominate—support.

And when you speak, let the audience know who you are.

Not through titles or achievements, but through the tone of your voice,

the temperament of your presence,

and the honesty with which you share your experiences.

Speak not just with your voice—but with your eyes.

Let your hands and shoulders, your cheeks and chin, carry the message too.

Let your presence say: “I am with you.”

When you invite people to take on a challenge,

your words should carry the weight of assurance:

“I stand behind you. And I will walk with you.”

I’ve practised this for years. And the results have been remarkable.

I spoke with my own words, with earnest zeal.

And my colleagues responded.

They withdrew from association elections to support a shared vision.

They worked late hours—even during Diwali—to meet the scholarship disbursement targets.

They rose to challenges.

During a thunderous downpour, I saw a woman colleague take charge during a hazardous transformer explosion on campus-umbrella in one hand, the other raised with calm, commanding instructions.

Leadership is not a costume. It’s a posture. It’s a presence.

It’s a promise—delivered through every word.

Hence I reiterate: Speak your own words, Not of Others

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Oct 23,  2025

(Value Based Leadership, Publishing soon)

#SpeakYourOwnWords  #ValueBasedLeadership #HowLeadersWalkAndTalk #LeadershipWithPresence #InspiredByExperience #MahendraWrites