How Words Can Inspire Change
The Power of Words: How to Inspire Change Through Charismatic Communication
Words have power. They can uplift or tear down, motivate or discourage, and even change the course of history. When I was asked to write about how words can inspire change, my mind immediately went to the book The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane.
This book breaks down charismatic communication into actionable steps that help people become not just better speakers, but more impactful leaders. Whether in conversations, public speaking, or even social media interactions, the right words—delivered in the right way—can create powerful change.
So, how can we harness this power? Let’s explore the art of communication, the psychology of words, and practical strategies to inspire change.
Words Inspire Change
What Makes a Charismatic Communicator?
Think about an inspirational leader—someone whose words stay with you long after they’ve spoken. What makes them so powerful?
According to The Charisma Myth, charisma is built on three key qualities:
Power – The ability to command attention and influence.
Presence – Being fully engaged in the moment.
Warmth – Expressing genuine care and connection.
Many assume charisma is an inborn trait, but it’s actually a learned skill. By mastering your words and delivery, you can inspire change and become a leader others want to follow.
Speak and Listen with Charisma
How to Speak and Listen with Charisma
1. Be Fully Present in Conversations
If you’re thinking about what to say next instead of actively listening, it shows. People can sense inauthenticity—it’s written all over your face, even if you don’t realize it. True charisma comes from being fully present.
👉 Try this: When someone speaks, focus on them completely. Instead of planning your response, absorb their words, nod thoughtfully, and respond with intentionality.
2. Master the Art of Listening
Powerful communicators don’t just talk—they listen.
Never interrupt. Let silences exist.
Pause before responding—this signals confidence and thoughtfulness.
Reflect back what you hear to show engagement.
Listening is one of the quickest ways to establish influence. People remember how you make them feel, and making them feel heard is a gift.
3. Use Words That Paint Vivid Images
When we hear words, our brains don’t just process them as text—they translate them into images, emotions, and experiences.
For example, which sentence is more engaging?
❌ "We need to improve teamwork."
✅ "Imagine a workplace where everyone supports each other like a championship-winning team—where ideas flow, and people thrive."
The second sentence creates a mental picture, making it more persuasive and memorable.
👉 Try this: Next time you communicate an idea, speak in images and stories rather than abstract concepts.
4. Accept Compliments with Confidence
Have you ever brushed off a compliment with, "Oh, it was nothing!" or "I just got lucky"?
This actually undermines your credibility and sends the message that the other person was wrong to praise you.
Instead, absorb the compliment. Smile, let it sink in, and say, "Thank you, that means a lot to me." This simple shift increases your authority and influence.
5. Choose Words That Inspire, Not Discourage
Certain words carry emotional weight, even when used casually.
For example:
🚫 Saying, "No problem" or "Don’t worry about it" actually leaves the words problem and worry lingering in the listener’s mind.
✅ Instead, try: "I’d love to help!" or "My pleasure!"
Notice how Chick-fil-A employees always say "My pleasure." This small change makes a big impact on customer experience.
👉 Try this: Replace negative-based phrases with positive alternatives and see how people respond.
6. Evoke Positive Emotions
The fastest way to make people like you? Make them feel good about themselves.
When you show genuine interest in someone—by remembering small details, showing enthusiasm, or celebrating their wins—they associate those positive emotions with you.
Want to inspire change? Make others feel valued and seen.
7. Use Vocal Techniques to Project Confidence
People don’t just hear your words—they hear how you say them.
To project power:
Speak slowly and with purpose.
Use a deeper, baritone voice.
Pause between thoughts.
To project warmth:
Smile while you talk. (Yes, even over the phone—people can hear your smile.)
Use varied tones instead of monotone delivery.
Speak conversationally, as if talking to a close friend.
👉 Try this: Record yourself speaking and analyze your tone. Are you projecting authority and warmth?
Words that undermine your influence
Beware of Words That Undermine Your Influence
Just as some words inspire, others annoy, alienate, or weaken your message.
One example? Ending sentences with "Right?"
🔴 "This strategy is the best way to increase sales, right?"
✅ Instead, say: "This strategy has been proven to increase sales by 30%—and here’s why it works."
Adding "Right?" makes it sound like you’re fishing for validation. Many podcasters fall into this habit, and once you notice it, it becomes distracting. Confidence is contagious, so speak with certainty.
👉 Try this: Identify any speech habits that weaken your authority and replace them with strong, declarative statements.
Leaders who inspire change
How to Become a Leader Who Inspires Change
Great leaders study words and refine their communication. They understand that words shape perception, emotions, and actions.
Want to become a more charismatic, inspiring leader? Try this:
✅ Expand your vocabulary. Learn words that add depth and emotion to your speech.
✅ Challenge yourself to speak differently. If you tend to be negative, shift your focus to positive, action-driven language.
✅ Practice before speaking. Give yourself a quick pep talk—remind yourself to speak with power, presence, and warmth.
Your Words Create Your Reality
What you say—whether to yourself or others—shapes your world.
Use words that empower, not discourage.
Speak with confidence, not hesitation.
Make others feel valued, not dismissed.
Because words don’t just communicate ideas… they inspire change.
Use Words to Inspire Change
Are You Ready to Use Your Words to Create Change?
Final Thought:
You never know who needs to hear exactly what you have to say. Use your words wisely. Use them to inspire, uplift, and lead. Because your words matter.
#Leadership #Charisma #Communication #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration
About the Author
Kathie Owen is a corporate wellness consultant, speaker, and coach with over two decades of experience in leadership, fitness, and personal development.
Kathie Owen, Corporate Wellness Consultant and Coach
As the founder of Top Workplace Wellness, she helps organizations cultivate healthier, more engaged teams through holistic wellness programs. Kathie is passionate about empowering leaders to communicate with confidence, create positive workplace cultures, and prevent burnout.
With a background in psychology and corporate wellness, Kathie brings science-backed strategies to the table, blending mindset coaching, stress management, and effective communication techniques. She believes that words have the power to transform lives, and she teaches leaders how to use them to inspire real change.
When she's not coaching or consulting, you’ll find Kathie creating content that educates and motivates others to step into their full potential. Follow her insights on workplace wellness, leadership, and personal growth at www.kathieowen.com.
#Leadership #Communication #PersonalDevelopment #WorkplaceWellness
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The Charisma Myth
When I was asked to write an article about h ow words can inspire change my mind immediately jumped to the book The Charisma Myth by Oliva Fox Cobane.
This book contains powerful tools to help someone not only appear to be a great leader but also use the right words that contain a lot of power. It can also help with the difficulties of today - even in social media.
Inspirational Leader
Think of an inspirational leader. What exactly comes to mind?
For me, I think the 3 words characterizing charisma in the book are power, presence, and warmth. One would think it would simply be common sense to go about creating positive change. But this is not the case, it takes the direction to become a powerful example of the right direction.
An easy answer would be to simply study true leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and the power of his words and the power struggles he and his fellow black Americans confronted in their lives.
But let's take that a step further and face the actionable steps presented to us in this book. The Charisma Myth.
Speaking and Listening with Charisma
What will I say next?
If what you’re thinking about is what you want to say next, your lack of presence will be written all over your face. 🙄😴🙃😯 We as human beings can immediately pick up on this. The best way to speak and listen is to be fully present.
Don’t interrupt
Master listeners never interrupt, let themselves be interrupted, and pause two seconds before they answer. Your face absorbs, then reacts, and then you answer. You come off as a powerful force when you listen more than talk. And remember - do not interrupt.
Use all 5 senses
We associate feelings with sights, sounds, tastes, smells, places, and, of course, people. Others will associate with you the way you make them feel. Your use of words can be very helpful here. Paint a pretty picture, remember the details and you will find power in your words.
Compliments
Downplaying a compliment sends a message to your admirer that they were wrong to compliment you. When someone compliments you, do you quickly say thank you and move on? Try to stop, absorb the compliment, let that show on your face, and thank them instead. Note: you will have a greater impact when you accept a compliment in a genuine fashion than any single word could make.
Evoke positive emotions
Acting interested and even impressed with someone will make them feel great about themselves, and then, in turn, associate all those feelings with you. Evoking positive emotions will take you a long way in a small amount of time!!
When you speak in words, your brain translates them into concepts, then concepts into images. Speak in images directly, and make them sensory-rich. Again one of the greatest things you can do is paint a picture full of details that evoke emotions. Our brains translate words into concepts.
Avoid using these words
Avoid using "no problem" or "don't worry," because people will remember "problem" or "worry." Rephrases, like "we'll take care of it." are always a better response. Have you ever noticed how Chikfila employees say "My pleasure?" This choice of words is so much more powerful than when you say "no problem"
Provide REAL value
Attention is a precious resource. When people read your writing (thank you BTW🧡) or listen to you, deliver high value through entertainment, information, or good feelings.
When trying to create real change deliver high value through entertainment. Notice what a dramatic effect it takes when you mention different things that evoke a positive emotion. There is the true power of their words.
Communicate Power, Presence, and Warmth
Audience ratings for a lecture are more strongly influenced by delivery style than by content. Your voice is key to communicating warmth and power.
To project power, speak slowly with frequent pauses, use a baritone voice, drop intonation, and breathe through your nose.
To project warmth, smile. Even thinking about smiling is enough to give your voice warmth. Smile it improves your face value! 😁🙂
Some of these techniques are rhetorical techniques but when used they can become a powerful weapon even during difficult times.
How you say the words
The power of words can be noticed not only in the way you use these words but in how you say them.
It is so easy to evoke negative emotions with the power of your words. Notice in the example when someone says negative words like, "No problem." As opposed to "My pleasure" We focus on the problem which in turn evokes negative emotions.
What happens when you say “RIGHT?”
I listen to podcasts on a regular basis. I have noticed that many podcasters tend to say "Right?" at the end of every sentence. This is irritating. Especially when you know what it means when someone says “Right?” all the time!
And here is what happens when we say "Right?"
When people end a sentence with the word ‘right,’ they are, in fact, not asking a question at all, nor are they actively seeking acceptance without protest or agreement from the listener.
When they say ‘right?’ they are implying to the listener that what they are saying is not only obviously correct but that the listener already understands and is already in agreement with them.
This has become such a distracting word that once a podcaster says it too many times I immediately shut down and turn off. Never to return again. One that immediately comes to mind and I haven’t listened to her in years is Manifestation Babe. 🤢
If you want to become an inspiring leader you must know that your words have power.
When you use the word "right?" all the time, it just presents a rough time and my own perspective has been thrown out the window. It's like my entire system of beliefs has been demolished and mean nothing. Right?😂 Pun-intended!
Conclusion
In closing, let's study new words. Let's get out of that comfort zone. Let's use our words with power, presence, and warmth. Let's do the right thing and become good leaders and good teachers. Let's remember this new research and have a little pep talk with ourselves before we communicate with others! Because there is power in our words. Our words can inspire change in god's children and create personal growth for ourselves and others.
How do you find power in your words?
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