I want to share a little bit of mindfulness with you today—specifically, a lesson I learned the hard way about the power of language in leadership.

Many years ago, I stood in front of my organization, excited to deliver a message about continuous improvement. I was passionate, energized, and eager to inspire my team. Then, I made a mistake. I used a single word that completely shifted the room’s energy. That word was change.

The moment I said change, I could see the reactions immediately. Heads went down. Eyes rolled. People exchanged glances. In that instant, I could almost hear the internal dialogue running through their minds: How does this affect me? What does this mean for my role? Is this going to make my job harder?

That moment taught me a valuable lesson. Change can be a loaded word, triggering uncertainty, resistance, and fear. So I adjusted my approach. Instead of saying change, I started using the word audible.

Think about it—when we hear audible, it suggests agility, adaptability, and a strategic response. In sports, an audible is a quick, intelligent shift made in response to a situation, keeping the team proactive and in control. When I replaced change with audible in my messaging, something incredible happened. The energy in the room shifted. Instead of resistance, I saw engagement. Instead of hesitation, I saw enthusiasm.

By making this small but powerful language shift, I found that people were more open to the idea of transformation. It wasn’t about change being forced upon them; it was about making audibles—smart, strategic decisions that helped us stay ahead of the competition and grow as a team.

So here’s my challenge to you: try it. The next time you’re leading a discussion about making a shift in your business, team, or organization, swap out change for audible. Notice the difference in the energy, the response, and the mindset of those around you.

Words matter. The way we frame transformation matters. And sometimes, a simple shift in how we communicate can create a ripple effect of positive momentum.

Give it a shot, and let me know how it works for you.

Take care, Mike Barnes