256. From Me to We: The Power of Inclusive Leadership with Mick Spiers

The difference between going fast and going far lies at the heart of this powerful exploration of inclusive leadership language. Drawing from Kyle McDowell's transformative work in "Begin With We," we unpack how a simple shift from "me-centered" to "we-centered" language fundamentally reshapes organizational culture and leadership effectiveness.

Language isn't merely semantic—it's biochemical. Research from Judith Glazer shows that our word choices literally change brain chemistry, either triggering defensive responses or opening pathways to trust and collaboration. Those seemingly innocent phrases like "actually, that's a good idea" or "obviously this is the right approach" might carry unintended condescending undertones that silently erode trust. When leaders shift to genuinely inclusive language, they create environments where people feel valued—and as we discover, "when people feel like they matter, they do things that matter."

Values statements gain extraordinary power when they begin with "we"—transforming from corporate platitudes into invitations for collective ownership. "We do the right thing" and "We challenge each other to be better" create simultaneous inclusion and accountability. But the real cultural test comes during stress and uncertainty: do team members default to your stated values or revert to self-protection? As Tim McClure warns, "The greatest fear of any organization should be when their most passionate people become quiet." Your culture isn't defined by wall plaques but by daily habits—what you celebrate, reward, and tolerate establishes what truly matters.

Ready to transform your leadership through the power of language? Subscribe to The Leadership Project and join us next time as we welcome Britt Hogue to discuss humanizing strategy and the collective good. Together, let's learn how our words become actions, our actions become habits, and our habits shape the cultures we lead.

Send us a text

Support the show

✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

📝 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode in the comments below.

🔔 Join us in our mission at The Leadership Project and learn more about our organisation here: https://linktr.ee/mickspiers

📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

If you would like a signed copy, please reach out to [email protected] and we can arrange it for you too.

If you're thinking about starting a podcast or upgrading your hosting, Buzzsprout is a great option! This link will give both of us a $20 credit when you upgrade:

👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1701891

Create forms easily with Jotform! Sign up with my link: https://www.jotform.com/?referral=AkWimLxOBz

Get extra Dropbox space—sign up with my link: Dropbox Referral Link

Wise Referral link: https://wise.com/invite/dic/michaels11434

...