How To Leverage The Power of Declarations

Influential people understand the power of words. They can speak pronouncements into existence. These pronouncements or declarations are powerful because they can be positive and uplifting, or negative and disempowering. You can learn to leverage the power of declarations. Let me show you how. 

It was sad to hear Dave express to me that his dream was to be an aircraft pilot, but his dad would always tell him (declare) he was not smart enough. 

When I asked him why didn’t he prove his dad wrong, his response was: “Well, I grew up believing he was right. He was my dad.” Dave was my summer internship manager. That exchange was during our introduction meeting after I shared my passion for flying airplanes as a hobby.

Because of my encouragement, Dave registered for flight instructions and by the end of that summer, logged in several hours as a student pilot at the Oakland County airport in Pontiac, MI. He overcame the disempowering declaration a leader (his dad) made to him when he was a child. 

Declaration is a fancy word for an emphatic statement or pronouncement. It could be as grand as a US President declaring: “We will go to the moon by the end of this decade.”  It could be as simple as a mother declaring to her daughter: “You are smart and beautiful, and can do anything you set your heart out to do.”  It could also be a leader declaring to a poor performer: “I know you can turn this around. There is greatness in you.” 

Declaration does not mean it has or will happen. It simply means that you are taking a position this will be the result. The power of a declaration is the more it is spoken, the more it will be internalized, and the more likely it is to become a reality – intentionally or unintentionally. 

Why Are Declarations So Powerful?

1. Those we influence believe what we say. 

2. Those we influence internalize what we say and start acting it out. 

3. We live out what we keep declaring to ourselves. That is because words have psychological impacts; not only on others but also on ourselves! 

4. Spoken words can reinforce lies we internalized; especially from social media. I’m sure I don’t need to spell out the impact of this on our teens.

How To Leverage The Power of Declarations

Anytime, but especially the start of the year, is a great time to look at our past and evaluate declarations we made to ourselves that may have hindered our progress, or declarations to others that may have disempowered them.  How many times have we declared we were dumb because we did something unwise? We should stop these negative declarations.

We should then look into the future at what success looks like for us and write down the associated personal declarations we want to make for the year ahead. It’s good practice to pin the list in a spot where we can see it every day and speak it out loud. Example: I am more than a conqueror through Him that loved me¹. I am fearfully and wonderfully made². I am blessed coming in and going out³. You get bonus points if you declare what’s in your Bible (wink).

Finally, we need to be intentional about what we say to others that can help their progress. Example: I believe you will be great; I expect great things from you.

Empowerment Through Negative Feedback

Even when giving negative feedback, avoid speaking negatively about the person. Address the action and behavior. And declare what’s expected: I see a great leader in you. Your creative mind will unlock great innovations with the proper guidance. You will be the role model I know you can be with these changes. That might just be the encouragement the person needs to make a positive life change.

Declarations can bring success and progress into existence. We should choose life-giving words when making declarations to ourselves and others. 

Empowered Leader Reflection

What positive declarations are you going to make to flip the negative ones you have been saying? 

Notes: (1) Rom 8:37 NIV; (2) Ps 139:14 NIV; (3) Deut 28:6 NIV

Photo Credit: Pexels.com/Lara_Jameson