Have you ever noticed that the loudest voices in any room tend to be the ones complaining? Whether it’s on social media, in the workplace, or even in church, the default language of the crowd is negativity. The boss is incompetent. The system is broken. The church isn’t doing enough. The government is failing. The world is falling apart.
But here’s the shocker: leaders don’t talk like that.
The Language of Leadership is Different
The difference between leaders and the crowd isn’t intelligence, talent, or even opportunity—it’s language. Leaders speak a different dialect. They don’t waste time on complaints; they focus on solutions. They don’t engage in gossip; they call people higher. They don’t rehearse problems over and over; they reframe them into possibilities.
Think about Jesus—He stepped into a world filled with oppressed people who had every reason to complain. The Romans were cruel. The religious system was corrupt. His own disciples often misunderstood Him. But Jesus never spent His time lamenting the state of things. Instead, He declared:
- “The kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mark 1:15)
- “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
- “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Jesus refused to speak the language of the crowd. He spoke the language of leadership.
Thought #1: Complaining is a Form of Conformity
Most people complain because it’s the easiest way to fit in. When you join in with negativity, you blend into the crowd. But if you want to step out and lead, you must change your language—even if it makes you stand alone.
Try this experiment:
- The next time someone complains about work, ask, “What’s one thing we could do to improve it?”
- When someone criticizes leadership, say, “What if we prayed for them instead?”
- When negativity starts to swirl, counter it with, “What’s one thing we’re grateful for in this situation?”
Watch what happens. The room shifts. The conversation changes. People either rally around your leadership or get uncomfortable because you’re disrupting the status quo.
Thought #2: Your Words Create Your World
Leaders understand that words aren’t just descriptions; they are declarations. What you consistently say shapes what you experience. This is why Scripture constantly emphasizes the power of our words:
- “The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21)
- “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up.” (Ephesians 4:29)
- “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (Philippians 2:14-15)
Complaining creates a culture of discontent. Encouragement creates a culture of growth. What kind of world are your words building?
Thought #3: The Fastest Way to Lead is to Speak Differently
Want to rise in influence overnight? Change how you talk. It’s that simple.
- Instead of focusing on obstacles, focus on opportunities.
- Instead of pointing out what’s wrong, call out what’s possible.
- Instead of criticizing from the sidelines, create solutions from within.
In any group—whether it’s a team, a church, or a business—the person who consistently speaks with vision, faith, and wisdom will become the leader.
The Call to Lead
Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a way of speaking and acting that separates you from the crowd. If you want to lead, start by changing your language.
- Speak solutions.
- Speak vision.
- Speak faith.
Jesus led with words that shaped history. The question is: What kind of history will your words shape?