Hardly. Talk without action is an expensive self-sabotaging behavior. Talk without action leads to:
- Lost opportunity – both personal and organizational
- Annoys other people
- Self-delusion – the belief you are doing something when in fact you are doing nothing
- Failure
Talk is about the strategic plan that never gets implemented. It’s about the “flavor of the month” (that new idea that will save your career or your business, that changes frequently to a new idea that will save your career or your business). It’s about the book you’re going to write, the new business you’re going to start, the new career you want to pursue. It’s about what can be, but somehow never is.
Talk does have its positive side, but only when followed by action and results. And, talk about intended action can build momentum and help fuel results.
But, how expensive is talk with no action?
- The opportunity cost is high (foregone success)
- High cost of losing credibility with you friends, colleagues and employees
- Loss of your job (talk and no action leads to cost reductions – you)
- Inability to get a job because of your reputation of “talks a better game then he/she plays”
- People stop believing in you, and may even stop listening to you
- And, at some point, you will likely stop believing in yourself.
Is this a problem you have? Maybe you’re not sure? Consider:
- Asking someone you trust if you are seen this way-ask for specific evidence / examples
- Be careful asking your spouse or significant other. They may be so supportive that they are unwilling to tell you what they see.
- Be open to honest, and perhaps uncomfortable, feedback
- Be willing to address the issue
- Stop the excuse “well this is just who I am.” The simple fact is that is not who you are, that is who you choose to be, and, what you enable yourself to do (or not do). Clearly your choice, but an expensive one.
Remember what Emerson said: what you do speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you say. Your actions determine how people eventually perceive you. And, if your actions are silent and your mouth is not…
Copyright 2009 Kubica and LaForest
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