A tidbit is a small morsel…. of inspiration, insights, or lessons learned/tips to reflect on, and digest, over your week.

Right after I finished filming today’s Sage Tidbit video, I received an email from a colleague: “I just wanted to check in to see if we needed to clean up from the way we left things.” I so appreciated this reach out—that they did it and the way in which they did it. I interpreted this as their being sensitive to the possibility that their words or tone may not have landed with me in the way intended.

Words, Thoughts and Feelings Matter.

Most of us intuitively know this to be true. We all have a sense of how we feel with certain words. Some of us may be more aware of how our thoughts affect our feelings. One thing is for sure: We all have radar in picking up on supportive and unsupportive words and tones in another’s voice. So much is said, not just with words but also with the delivery and energy of another’s communication.

When leaders pay attention to these nuances, this can go a long way toward authentically creating cultures of care and belonging.

A number of years ago, a Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto, experimented with the impact words, thoughts and feelings have on the molecules of water. The human body is composed of anywhere from 50-70% water (depending upon age, weight, etc.), so it is probably safe to say that our bodies are affected by our, and others’, words, thoughts and feelings.

You can read about Emoto’s work in The Hidden Messages of Water. I did my own version of Emoto’s water experiment. Check out my results below…

I was left with the question, how can I notice more, and hold myself and others more accountable for the energy we bring to a person or situation in ways that are more loving, if we have significant differences or tensions are high?

These times call for, now more than ever, to call-in love – especially when it’s hard.

Reflection Questions:

• How can you take care of yourself when in a negative or“ignoring” space?

• How can you hold the space more for deep listening, love and good intention?

• Where do you need to make amends and repair?

• Take a moment today to notice how your body feels with certain words, thoughts or feelings.

Suze Shaner-Brodax is an executive coach and leadership & organization effectiveness consultant. She also teaches yoga and meditation – tools to keep one sane in uncertain times. She helps professionals step up to their fullest leadership, life and growth potential. At times this means getting out of their own way in getting important stuff accomplished. www.sagelead.com.