“Words are just words and without heart they have no meaning.” Chinese proverb

We hear it all the time in life, “Your family is what’s most important.”

And in business, “Your people are your biggest asset.”

We may hear those things, but unfortunately, we see them displayed far less often.

Remember the adage, “Children learn by watching, not listening?”

Well, all of us big people are simply grown-up children, and we still learn by watching the behaviour of others, especially our leaders.

When someone’s words and actions don’t match, we will ultimately believe the actions. This is the power of body language and the meta-messages they communicate.

So watch your words, yes, but more, make sure your actions back them up. or else what’s under the surface will bubble up and “speak” through your body.

The body doesn’t lie. It reveals in a glance, a wave, a shove, one’s true beliefs.

So, tell the truth and put your heart into whatever you’re communicating, even when you’re not speaking.

Especially when you’re not speaking, because the children you live and work with—whatever their age—are watching you.