I like the old phrase, “if you’re going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk”. Your talk can define who you are as much as your actions can. But be very careful when your talk and your actions don’t match. This got me thinking about the different kinds of talk you hear in everyday life and in organizations of all types. Maybe you can add to the list we have here but these are just a few of the different types of talkers we typically see…
Full of hot air – This is the person that loves to hear himself talk. In his mind he is an expert in all things and the smartest guy in the room. Any idea you have, any task you’re working on, any innovation being discuss is something this guy has already done and been a part of, or so he says. He’s usually a job-hopper, because after a few years he’s lost all credibility with most people. If he’s a long-term employee, he’s usually the office joke in that everyone knows he full of hot air.
Motivator – This person brings out the best in her coworkers and employees. She makes a great manager. She focuses on strengths of others and matches talents to task. She’ll look for something good, positive and productive to say in order to lift others up and create a great working environment. Protect this person. Other, less positive “talkers”, will do their best to tear her down.
Trash Talker – This is a term usually reserved for sports. One player giving another player a hard time or trying to intimidate and get in his opponent’s head. However, it’s a term we’ll use to describe the gossip. Gossip is trash. What’s funny, is most in the organization know very well who the trash talker is, except for the trash talker. As soon as he hears some good trash, he’ll run to someone to share. The person receiving the info could be called the trash bin. Those who receive the trash are no different than the one tossing the trash. This person will often speak to others out of “concern” or “protecting the organization”. Watch out!
Do as a say, not as I do – You can call this the dictator, the level-1 leader as defined by John Maxwell or you can call her lazy. All apply. She says all the right things and then does the opposite. It’ similar to companies that promote the phrase, “service with a smile” and when you visit their business, you don’t get served well and you don’t get a smile. Your actions need to match your words. She often speaks of the “glory days” or things she accomplished in the past, but is not currently doing. Important note: Her accomplishments are almost always myths or greatly exaggerated.
Advocate – This person is about supporting leadership and the organization. He promotes the organization to people he knows. He stops trash talkers in their tracks. He always follows the chain of command. He offers solutions. He shares and receives openly with his team. He is in the top 5% of all employees. He walks the talk.
Who are you? Are you a combination of a few? Make sure when talking the talk, it’s the right kind of talk and you’re walking the walk.
