The Power of Words: Fueling Motivation or Feeding Negativity
Introduction
Recently, I was on LinkedIn and saw a “this, not that” post. One column used fairly common phrases, starting with “kill two birds with one stone” while the other column used the alternatives. In this case it read “feed two birds with one scone”. I did the eyeroll-chuckle and went to the comments to see how others reacted to the satire (a horrible habit, but that’s for another article).
But there was no laughing. It was a thread of people serious about removing “abusive and threatening language in the workplace”. Hundreds of comments all in support of this softer approach to workplace motivation.
Well, it is true what they say. You can find inspiration in the oddest places. So, I picked up my jaw from my desk and here we are.
Language shapes culture.
The words we choose—especially in high-performance environments—carry weight far beyond casual conversation. Phrases like “crush it,” “tackle the deliverables,” or “Let’s target them” are commonplace in business and team settings. For some, these expressions stir energy, confidence, and drive. For others, they spark concerns about promoting aggression and negativity in the workplace.
The Case for Passionate Language
Critics argue that combative phrases feed unnecessary aggression in the workplace. But passion is not the same as hostility. Passionate language taps into the same mindset elite veterans and leaders have relied on for centuries: harnessing energy, urgency, and focus to achieve big goals. Without passion, projects stall. Without bold language, teams risk falling into mediocrity.
When a leader says, “We’re going to tackle this challenge,” the message isn’t about violence—it’s about commitment. It signals to the team: This matters. We’re all in. That kind of fire builds resilience, collaboration, and pride in achievement.
Culture Follows Language
The culture of an organization reflects the language it embraces. Teams that shy away from strong words often cultivate cautious, risk-averse environments. Teams that lean into powerful, motivating language tend to embrace ambition, action, and accountability. Adversely, in many workplaces, softer language can inadvertently dampen enthusiasm.
Why Passion Wins Over Fear
Here’s the reality: words only carry the meaning we assign to them. If we allow phrases like “crush it” to be linked with negativity, we rob ourselves of their motivational force. But if we reclaim these words as drivers of excellence, they become fuel for achievement.
Great leaders don’t water down language. They use it to set tone, spark energy, and unite people around a mission. Passionate words create passionate teams—and passionate teams deliver extraordinary outcomes.
In the times where “quiet cracking” and burnout are on the rise, the workplace doesn’t need less fire; it needs fire pointed in the right direction. Today, more than ever, leaders should embrace motivating power words that fuel action, resilience, and culture. Because when language drives passion, passion drives results.