According to a Career Builder Survey on Workplace Swearing…
If your language is putting your promotion in jeopardy, why would you do it? What would it take for you to stop?
Whether we want to admit it or not, we’ve all been influenced by childhood events. Remember as a child when you first experienced older kids swearing on the school playground? On some level, these early role models exhibited courage and reckless abandon that you admired. For better or worse, they helped enhance your vocabulary. Was there ever a time when you showed off these new, more colorful vocabulary skills within earshot of your parents? If your parents were from the Old School, you likely earned yourself a mouth washing. From that point on, you were really careful about your language lapses in front of your parents. But swearing still offered you a chance to exhibit renegade behavior that belied your age. That same juvenile satisfaction is likely still driving your adult language lapses. And the survey shows how your language can hinder both your career goals and your ability to lead others.
You’re not on the playground anymore. Who are you now trying to impress?
Are you finally grown up enough to stop trying to appear to be a grown-up? Research proves that your current peers (professional colleagues) are less than impressed.
Your Bonus?
Your Reputation?
Your ability to lead?
There’s another traditional remedy for curbing profanity. The swear jar. The swear jar provides a way to immediately recognize (and fine) your bad habits and helps to raise your awareness of the frequency and severity of your problem. To enhance YOUR awareness, ask yourself:
Whether you actually get yourself an actual swear jar or use a virtual one. I challenge you to keep score of your swears. You might be surprised at the damage you’re inflicting on your ability to lead.
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
Powered and secured by MailChimp
By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more information on how we use cookies, view our privacy policy.
One Response
Tom, that message is not only insightful–it’s refreshing!