The Language of a Leader: 10 Words That Inspire and Motivate

Our team leader really knows what to say to bring out the best in us. I can’t believe how much we’ve already accomplished on this project!

Did you ever wonder how some leaders can make an instant impact, sparking motivation and unity with just a few words? It’s amazing how a leader who uses the right words can transform negative attitudes into positive ones, generating energy and enthusiasm among team members. This, in turn, drives results.

Below, you will find a list of ten powerful words that any leader can use to build trust and inspire action. Whether you’re a seasoned CEO, the manager of a team, or even the president of your middle school drama club, you’ll know how to speak the language of leadership!

1. We/our/us

Yes, technically these are three words and not a single word. But using “we” and “our” and “us” gives employees a sense of being included. Take a look at the two examples below. Which one of these CEOs would you rather work for?

• You have a lot of work to do on this project, but in the end, I will be looking at a huge profit.
• We have a lot of work to do on this project, but in the end, our company will be looking at a huge profit.

In the first example, the CEO gives the sense that the employees will be doing a lot of work and that the CEO will be the one to benefit from it. However, in the second example, the CEO’s use of “we” and “our” conveys the sense that everyone (including the CEO) will be working hard and that they all will reap the rewards.

Note: Keep an eye out for we/our/us in subsequent example sentences.

2. Vision

Having a clear, compelling vision doesn’t just guide people—it pulls them in. Sharing your vision shows direction and purpose, helping your team see the bigger picture.

• Our vision for the next quarter is to increase sales by 15 percent.
• As you can see in these drawings, our company’s vision is to construct a waterfront community powered by solar panels.

3. Challenge

Embracing a challenge shows that you have courage and resilience. By framing challenges positively, leaders can turn obstacles into opportunities for development, innovation, and growth.

• We’ve had some challenges with the new interface, but thankfully these issues were resolved before our customers were affected.
• By embracing this challenge, we will find ourselves ahead of the curve when it comes to using AI to schedule deliveries.

4. Achieve

Leaders don’t just set goals—they inspire people to achieve them. This word gives your team members a sense of accomplishment and capability, motivating them to put forth extra effort.

• If we keep going at this rate, we will achieve our sales goals earlier than expected.
• This month, we achieved an important milestone when our company website attracted one million unique visitors.

5. Respect

When leaders speak about respect, it fosters a positive environment where every team member feels valued.

• Before we begin this discussion, please know that I respect everyone’s opinions—we don’t always have to agree.
• Your hard work and innovation have truly earned my respect.

6. Empower

When you use the word “empower”, you are enabling others to take charge and grow. When you empower your team, you are telling them you believe in their abilities.

• We need to empower the new employees to find their own solutions instead of always seeking help from their supervisors.
• This workshop focuses on how to empower women and ethnic minorities who are entering the IT field.

7. Support

“Support” is a simple word, yet it helps create an environment where your team members will feel safe about taking risks. It’s always good to know that somebody has your back!

• This new software can be tricky, so let me know if you need any support.
• You can count on the rest of the team to support you as you prepare for this presentation.

8. Success/succeed

If you have read our previous article, “10 Power Words that Will Supercharge Your Business Emails”, you may recall that “success” also appears on that list. After all, everyone wants to succeed! As a leader, you can also use “success”, “succeed”, and related words to remind your team members of their prior accomplishments.

• I realize we’ve had some setbacks, but I am sure we will succeed at launching this product before the end of this quarter.
• Landing the contract with XYZ Company is our biggest success to date.

9. Innovation

Innovation is all about staying ahead of the competition. Leaders who use this word encourage creativity and future-oriented thinking, making it clear to the team that new ideas are welcome.

• The level of innovation in our marketing department has been impressive this year.
• It’s going to require a lot of innovation on our part to attract more new clients.

10. Solution

Every workplace has its difficulties—slow sales, equipment failures, tricky technology, personal conflicts, campaigns that fizzled. As a leader, it’s your job to encourage your team to find a solution to whatever problems your company or division may be facing.

• We’re going to explore some solutions regarding the issues we’re having with the ZZZ account.
• I understand that the current schedule isn’t working. What do you think would be the best solution?

Should I use these words for written English, spoken English, or both?

These leadership words are appropriate for all forms of communication, whether it’s an email, a text message, a phone call, a Zoom meeting, or a face-to-face conversation. If you want to make sure you are using leadership words effectively in your written communications, click the blue box below. Our TextRanch editors will be happy to give you some feedback!