“The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer.”
These words greeted me before every 2-hour rowing shift during a 3-month Atlantic rowing crossing. They became my mental anchor – priming my mindset before facing relentless physical and psychological demands. Anyone who has relied on their mind to push through deep challenge knows how powerful language can be.
In leadership and business, we may not be battling waves, but we face pressure, uncertainty, and long-haul challenges all the same. And just like on the ocean, the words we use (internally and externally) shape how we respond and influence those around us.
A landmark study by psychologist John Bargh revealed that the language we’re exposed to influences our behaviour more than we realise. Participants primed with rude words were four times more likely to interrupt than those primed with polite words—just from a few subtle cues.
This has big implications inside and outside the workplace. The language we consume and share (what we read, say, hear, and think) shapes how we show up and behave. It affects our focus, resilience, creativity, and ability to connect. In pursuit of any meaningful goal, words matter.
Nowadays, we’re bombarded with more information, opinions, and noise than ever before. Much of it is emotionally charged, negative, or simply distracting. If we’re not intentional, this “language airspace” can quietly erode mindset and performance.
A practical takeaway? Be deliberate with your language inputs. Introduce short “priming points” throughout your day – cues that nudge your mindset toward the behaviour and outcomes you want to see more consistently.
Click here for examples you can use at different times of the day.
