The Power Behind Our Words
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
— Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
That verse stopped me today. It reminded me that words have power — but the true power lies in the emotion behind them. In our battery-charged world, e-motion really is energy in motion. Without that emotional current, our words may sound right but feel wrong. They inform, but they don’t transform.
I learned this the hard way. Early in my career, I was “Mr Professional” — polished, prepared, precise. Yet something was missing. People heard me, but they didn’t feel me. My words were technically correct, but emotionally flat.
Then I discovered the 57–36–7 principle of communication:
57% body language, 36% tone, 7% words.
It’s not what we say that moves people; it’s how authentically we feel what we say.
Gracious words aren’t sugar-coated; they’re grace-filled — aligned in head, heart, and tone. They carry truth, empathy, and courage.
So, here’s the question I’ve been asking myself — and now, you:
When was the last time your words healed someone?
What were your words like this week?
As Maya Angelou so eloquently stated:
“People will forget what you said, they may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Words may fade, but the feeling they leave behind lingers long after the moment.
So, speak with grace. Lead with warmth. And remember — when your words are filled with truth and emotion, they don’t just inform… they transform.
Legacy is built in the noise — but refined in the pause.
Gary Good
Founder — LeaderLegacy