The Impact of the Written Arts in a Corporate World
By: Dr. Jason “Jay” Pugh
Leadership and Development Program Manager
New Horizons CLC
Photo Credit: Jen Barker Worley Photography
For those that say, “Actions speak louder than words,” I highly disagree. Words are equally as valuable as actions. The written arts have taught me that you need both to thrive in the corporate environment.
Take it from me. I live, teach, facilitate, and manage in a high-stakes corporate world where effective business leadership and development can make or break million-dollar enterprises. I have published a dissertation, multiple academic articles, gave lectures and facilitated hundreds of speaking engagements, and just finished my first nonfiction book. Actions are crucial, but words are everything in the way they capture a message.
I am a logical, strategic, data-driven, left-brained individual. I love statistics, numbers, chess, and anything that has to do with procedural knowledge. Business and Education have taught me that follow-through with action, process, and strategic tactics are all critical components to success. However, it is my right-brain, my creative brain, that gives me the overall advantage in a corporate world. The Arts (especially the expression of written art) have taught me that words amplify those actions and resonate with the other people far more than actions do.
I graduated with an English degree from a small liberal arts college. Some would say that it is a “throw away” degree. If not utilized correctly, there could be merit to this. However, my English program has taught me to anticipate what’s going to happen next, prepare myself to construct greater meaning, communicate effectively, and ultimately amplify a more meaningful message to others. These are all critical skills to have in the Leadership and Development field and the written arts are the reason I can accomplish this effectively.
Why do people love music, poetry, books, and motivational communication? Because words activate emotions. They characterize feelings. They promote expression in the same way that a painting or playing an instrument does. My instruments are my pen and my voice.
I would like to think of myself as a poet in the way I deliver messages to my audience, whether it be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a small business owner trying to grow their company, or a struggling worker trying to find their motivation. I write, prepare, practice, and deliver a message that will resonate with them individually. There is no way I could accomplish that without learning the skills that come with the written form.
What skills are these, you may ask? Here are my top five skills I have gathered from the written arts that directly apply to the corporate world:
1. Always keep your pulse on the purpose of your message. Without purpose, you have nothing to anchor to.
2. Always consider yourself as a member of the audience before writing or delivering.
3. Use effective pauses for tone, emphasis, and clarity. Find your melody in your speaking and writing.
4. Connect authentically and individually, every time. Always make sure the message is real to you and them.
5. Practice, practice, practice. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable, until it becomes comfortable.
One final concept to note: The written arts not only allows you to succeed in the corporate environment, but they also allow you to find gratification in your personal life. When you can articulate your thoughts in a way that is meaningful, it allows you to feel accomplishment, power, and self-confidence. In high school, I always felt like I was on my own island, like I was misunderstood. I think it was because I was not speaking “the same language” as others. I wasn’t self-aware in my approach.
By the time I finished college, I felt like I could communicate with the world more effectively and purposefully. It has simply changed the dynamics of my relationships with others. I genuinely believe the written arts provided me with the self-awareness, emotional competence, delivery, and meaning necessary to gain the self-confidence needed to be successful in my life.
So the next time that someone tells you, “Actions speak louder than words,” correct them. Change their minds. Tell them that words plus actions equals success. Most importantly, tell them that gaining skills from the written arts allows you to merge words and actions together and be successful in every facet of your life.