Feb 19 2025 1 mins
Words matter to leaders. What you say to those who can help ignite your change has a huge bearing on if and how they’ll respond -- even when their role demands that they should.
Jonathan has been long conscious of the importance of words. As the chief speech writer to the former President of the European Union, he even made his living by them. Nevertheless, this conversation heightened his awareness of the critical need to choose words wisely and precisely.
He sees that the words that matter most to him, and that are central to his vision, could distract or even repel others. Sacred Dignity. Diversity. Truth. He doesn’t want to seem like a pious, moral authority. So he’s got to convey the value of pursuing truth together, and emphasize the “we” over “I”.
At the end of this conversation, he gave new meaning to the expression “a breath of fresh air” and found a source of inspiration.
The leader’s journey continues. Stay tuned.