Consider this idea: "Dialogue is the core of culture and the basic unit of work." Do you believe that? Larry Bossidy, Ram Charan, and Charles Burk do. Their book, Execute, argues that the exchange of ideas, verbal or otherwise, is the primary source of culture. They also assert that conversations are the most fundamental component of productivity. What you say means a lot. Most of us interact with other people primarily through speech. Our friends, colleagues, and neighbors know us by how we talk to them. Few people get a chance to observe us in the home, at the workplace, or in the grocery store. It is what you say that defines who you are to them. Wait, you may ask, are you saying that words are more important that deeds? No. We must come to understand that words are deeds. When you speak to someone you are doing something with that person. It is the most common way that we show compassion, care, and kindness. It is also the most common way that we discourage, distress, and destroy.

Word is deed.

The Bible says a lot about the importance of our words. They can create a culture of life or death (Proverbs 18.21), building up or tearing down (Ephesians 4.29), and hurting or healing (Proverbs 12:18). Dialogue is the basic unit of work because it guides all of our efforts. It is the bridal to our horse, the rudder to our ship (James 3:1-12), and leads our journey each step of the way.

We can say much more about talk as a big game. Understand that it is the biggest game that you will ever play. Speak intentionally to others and use your words to bring about life, healing, and the development of others.