The Power of Words: Insights from Orson Welles

09“Many people are too well-bred to talk with their mouths full—but they have no qualms about doing so with their heads empty.” — Orson Welles

Orson Welles (1915–1985) was a renowned director, actor, screenwriter, and producer, often hailed as one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century. His innovative radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” (1938) caused widespread panic among listeners, showcasing his keen awareness of the impact of words, punctuation, tone, and emphasis.

Welles understood that eliciting strong emotions—such as panic—through a mere radio broadcast required a deep understanding of not only what he was saying, but more importantly, how he was saying it. He likely weighed every word carefully, recognizing the potential consequences of language. In this context, his quote may seem cynical or harsh, reflecting his frustration with those who choose their words without considering their impact.

It’s crucial to recognize who we are speaking to and to reflect on how our words might resonate. However, the emotional responses and interpretations of our words ultimately depend on the listener’s past experiences, which we cannot fully anticipate or control.

In today’s fast-paced communication landscape, we should take a cue from Welles: think carefully about our words before we speak, acknowledging their power to shape conversations and relationships.

In today’s business environment, how can we ensure our communication is both impactful and considerate of our audience’s perceptions?

Wohlbefinden und Sinn im Handeln

Wohlbefinden und Leistungsfähigkeit entstehen, wenn wir Sinn in unserem Handeln finden und uns attraktive Ziele setzen. Ein klarer Sinn hilft uns, Zweifel und Hürden zu überwinden und unsere Ziele konsequent zu verfolgen. Zudem ermöglicht er uns, uns offen anderen Kulturen und Perspektiven zu nähern.

Das Finden von Sinn führt zu GRIT, das aus vier Elementen besteht: Growth (Wachstumsdenken), Resilience (Resilienz), Integrity (Integrität) und Tendency (Zähigkeit). Allerdings reicht GRIT allein nicht aus; um resilient zu sein, müssen wir uns sicher fühlen. Biologisch wird Sicherheit durch den sogenannten Smart Vagus unterstützt, der unser autonomes Nervensystem beruhigt und Stressreaktionen wie Kampf oder Flucht verhindert.

Ein unterstützendes und motivierendes Umfeld ist entscheidend, um diesen Smart Vagus zu aktivieren – zum Beispiel durch Lächeln, freundliche Mimik und eine warme Stimme. Sicherheit wächst auch, wenn wir Vorurteile abbauen und andere Wertsysteme sowie Kulturen akzeptieren.

Die drei Komponenten für sinnvolles Tun
Um sinnvolles Tun zu erreichen, sind drei Komponenten wichtig:

GRIT

Polyvagaltheorie

Akzeptanz anderer Kulturen

Sinnvolles Tun im Leben zu finden, ist entscheidend für unser Wohlbefinden und unsere innere Balance. Dies erfordert ein wohlwollendes Umfeld, GRIT und ein offenes Mindset.

Bleiben Sie aufgeschlossen, um den Sinn Ihres Lebens zu entdecken, denn nur so können Sie Großes bewirken. Das Leben ist zu kurz, um einfach nur mit der Masse zu schwimmen. Finden Sie Ihren individuellen Platz, der Ihnen Lebensbalance schenkt.

Detailliertere Informationen finden Sie in meinen beiden Büchern:

S.Voss Erfolgreich Gespräche im Berufsalltag führen Der Einfluss von Haltung, Deutungsmustern und Unterbewusstsein auf Gesprächssituationen 2023. XIII, 301 S. 31 Abb. Brosch. Oktober 2023

S.Voss Arbeitstagungen mit Großgruppen erfolgreich partizipativ gestalten Grundlagen und konkrete Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Organisationsentwicklung; May 2025

Die Kunst der Begegnung: Menschen ohne Vorurteile wahrnehmen

Jeder Mensch, den wir kennen oder neu kennenlernen, wird oft automatisch aufgrund unserer vergangenen Erfahrungen bewertet und „katalogisiert“. Dabei versehen wir diese Personen schnell mit Etiketten, was uns hilft, selbstsicher zu agieren, ohne ständig neu nachdenken zu müssen. Doch dieser Automatismus kann zu fehlerhaften Interpretationen führen.

Es ist entscheidend, diese Etiketten zu hinterfragen und zu überprüfen, ob unsere Rückschlüsse wirklich zutreffend sind. Oft basieren unsere Wahrnehmungen auf Annahmen und Deutungsmustern, die durch unsere eigenen sozialen Prägungen beeinflusst sind. Wenn wir Menschen nur kategorisieren, entgeht uns oft ihre wahre Persönlichkeit, denn wir interpretieren ihr Verhalten durch unsere eigenen Erfahrungen.

Um zwischen objektiven Fakten und subjektiven Annahmen zu unterscheiden, können folgende Fragen hilfreich sein:

Was ist von dem Verhalten und Gesagtem messbar?

Welche Emotionen empfinde ich im Gespräch?

Was sagt mein Gegenüber genau, wenn ich es mit einem neutralen, offenen Forscherblick betrachte?

Welche Werte kann ich heraushören, sehen?

Passen diese Werte zu meinen eigenen?

Wenn die Deutungsmuster und Werte zu weit auseinanderliegen, kann das Gegenüber fremd wirken. Sind sie jedoch ähnlich, erscheint die Person freundlich und sympathisch. Handlungen spiegeln oft die eigenen Werte und die individuelle Kultur wider. Widerstand entsteht, wenn unsere Werte unterschiedlich sind, was zu einer defensiven Haltung und schließlich zu einem Rückzug führen kann.

Es ist jedoch möglich, sich wieder anzunähern, wenn wir offen und neugierig auf das Fremde zugehen. So können wir lernen und unsere Deutungsmuster herausfordern. Wenn wir Unterschiede betrachten und gleichzeitig nach gemeinsamen Nennern suchen, können wir gegenseitiges Verständnis entwickeln.

Bleiben Sie offen für das Unbekannte, denn nur so wird echtes Lernen möglich. Achten Sie zudem auf unbewusste Etikettierungen und Kategorisierungen, um die Vielfalt der Menschen um Sie herum wirklich zu schätzen.

Detailliertere Informationen finden Sie in meinen beiden Büchern:

S.Voss Erfolgreich Gespräche im Berufsalltag führen Der Einfluss von Haltung, Deutungsmustern und Unterbewusstsein auf Gesprächssituationen 2023. XIII, 301 S. 31 Abb. Brosch. Oktober 2023

S.Voss Arbeitstagungen mit Großgruppen erfolgreich partizipativ gestalten Grundlagen und konkrete Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Organisationsentwicklung; May 2025

The Hidden Strength in Perceived Weakness

„We Have Talent. How We Use It Makes the Difference.“ – Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is blind, yet he has become a world-renowned musician, earning numerous awards, including Grammys, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a soul musician and has served as a UN Messenger of Peace since 2009.

How likely is it for a blind person to succeed as a musician? Or consider Beethoven, who continued to compose despite his deafness. How many individuals never discover their talents?How many individuals look beyond the judgments of others to uncover their unique talents that remain unseen by everyone else?

Perhaps it is precisely these challenges that prompt us to look inward and recognize our true potential. It takes courage to break free from societal norms and expectations, to believe in oneself, and to pursue a path that feels like home.

Let me share a personal story: As a child, I often bumped into things, resulting in many scrapes and bruises. My parents thought I was clumsy, perhaps even a bit slow. In the end, it was just a strong case of myopia. Yet, I went on to achieve my high school diploma with a 1.8 GPA, ranking among the top five in my examin class. I completed three master degree programs and authored two academic books. My passion for learning has always driven me forward, even when others doubted my potential.

Conclusion: Talent often resides in unexpected places. As long as we believe in ourselves, we can uncover it and achieve extraordinary things.

Selma Lagerlöf: Die Kunst der Selbstakzeptanz

Das Zitat für diesen Artikel stammt von Selma Lagerlöf:

„Wer mit sich selbst in Frieden leben will, muss sich so akzeptieren, wie er ist.“

Selma Lagerlöf war eine bemerkenswerte schwedische Schriftstellerin, die unter anderem das berühmte Werk Die wunderbare Reise des kleinen Nils Holgersson mit den Wildgänsen verfasste. Sie war die erste Frau, die den Nobelpreis für Literatur erhielt – ein historischer Meilenstein.

In ihrer Kindheit erlitt Lagerlöf eine vorübergehende Lähmung in den Beinen. Trotz dieser Beeinträchtigung blieb sie lebhaft und neugierig, gerade in einer Phase, in der Kinder die Welt selbst entdecken möchten. Sie wurde zu Hause unterrichtet, was ihr die Möglichkeit gab, sich frühzeitig dem Lesen und Schreiben zu widmen. Obwohl sie Geschwister hatte, war ihre Kindheit oft einsam und von Gleichaltrigen isoliert. Diese Erfahrungen führten dazu, dass sie sich intensiv mit Literatur und dem Schreiben beschäftigte.

Lagerlöf akzeptierte ihre Situation und sich selbst – eine Fähigkeit, die viele von uns anstreben. Die Kunst des Lebens besteht darin, das Beste aus den gegebenen Umständen zu machen. Doch das gelingt nur, wenn wir unsere Situation und uns selbst annehmen, wie wir sind. Sich selbst Vorwürfe zu machen oder anderen die „Schuld“ für schwierige Situationen zu geben, führt selten zu einer positiven Lösung.

Jeder handelt in Momenten des Drucks so gut er kann. Kaum jemand hat die Absicht, das Schlimmste von sich zu zeigen. Wenn wir erkennen, dass jeder in jeder Situation sein Bestes gibt, können wir Frieden mit den Umständen schließen. Das Bewusstsein, dass Handlungen und Verhalten immer im Kontext stehen, ermöglicht es uns, aus Erfahrungen zu lernen.

Wenn wir lernen, mit unseren Situationen im Reinen zu sein, können wir uns selbst akzeptieren und aus dieser Akzeptanz wachsen. Selma Lagerlöf ist ein inspirierendes Beispiel dafür, wie man trotz Herausforderungen seinen eigenen Weg finden kann.

Embracing Emotion: Lessons from Johann Georg Hamann for Modern Professionals

„Think less and live more.“ — Johann Georg Hamann

Hamann, a friend of Kant, was an advocate of the Socratic principle of non-knowledge. During his time, he was a critic of the system that believed in pure reason and opposed the consolidation of rationality. In his works, he emphasizes the importance of feelings, faith, and intuition. He also believed that language is alive and enables us to discover deeper truths. Furthermore, he was a proponent of faith as a means to understand the world. His works influenced romantic thinkers, and Goethe referred to him as the brightest mind of his time. Like Hamann, these thinkers placed the individual and subjective experiences at the forefront rather than pure intellect. To illustrate the complexity of nature and humanity, Hamann often employed paradoxes and contradictions.

In this context, the aforementioned quote becomes particularly relevant. It challenges the prevailing trend of viewing the world solely through a rational lens. Thinkers and scientists were highly regarded, while emotions and feelings were often deemed unimportant, as were the individual and his subjective experiences.

Today’s research on emotions highlights the significance of consciously experiencing feelings to foster intrinsic motivation and drive change. Humans are more than just minds and thoughts; emotions are integral to our existence. Every thought, word, and situation evokes emotions. Only when we feel alive can we effect change and move forward. We should take a cue from Hamann and think less, but feel more, embracing life as it is enriched by emotions rather than mere facts.

In light of this perspective, how can we foster a work environment that values emotional intelligence alongside rational thinking?

The Power of Words: A Good Example Is Worth More Than a Thousand Words

“An ounce of good example is worth more than a ton of words.” – Francis de Sales

Words hold immense power, capable of inspiring as well as deceiving. They can comfort, dazzle, or even manipulate. With words, we can downplay significant issues or exaggerate minor ones. Isn’t it true that we can turn a molehill into a mountain? Yet, in reality, a molehill remains what it is.

The Duality of Words and Actions

In the realm of meetings, presentations, and speeches, words play a vital role. They underscore actions, adding color and meaning. But unlike words, actions are tangible and measurable. They exist independently of our perception and can be directly evaluated. When I work with wood or clay, I can immediately see whether my effort was successful or not.

How does that compare to writing articles or engaging in conversations? Here, it often remains uncertain whether my words truly provoke thought or inspire change. The reactions I receive bring me joy and serve as valuable indicators that my message resonates. Yet, isn’t it fascinating how the true impact of words often remains hidden, unfolding in the subconscious?

Long-Term Effects of Words

Words can inflict wounds that run deeper than many realize. Particularly in the context of bullying, victims experience how hurtful words linger and leave lasting impressions. Even for those not directly affected, the influence of negative words can persist—like a slow-acting poison.

In contrast, actions have immediate and direct effects. Doesn’t a good example inspire and motivate us instantly? Words, however, require time to fully manifest their effects. Can we think of them as fertilizer that nurtures growth within a system, or as a shadow that gradually spreads?

Conclusion

In today’s world, it is essential to be aware of the power of our words. They can yield both positive and negative outcomes. While actions deliver immediate results, words unfold their impact over the long term. So, how can we use this awareness to enhance our communication?

I want to thank all my readers for their reactions and engagement. Your feedback is a valuable affirmation that words have power—whether in positive or challenging ways.

Let us collectively harness the power of words to create positive change!

Embracing Mistakes: Valuable Lessons for Personal Growth

“Mistakes are excellent sources of information.” – Peter E. Schumacher

Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities that help us grow. When my children receive a test back and the grade is lower than expected, they often feel upset and disappointed. This reaction is completely normal and part of the process. We all do our best and try to meet the expectations of others. We seek recognition for our achievements to validate ourselves. However, the greatest lessons often come from our mistakes.

I tell my children that it’s understandable to feel frustrated, especially after putting in the effort to study. Ultimately, they now know exactly what they need to practice and where they can improve. This reflects the value of constructive feedback, which should be more about „feedforward.“ Feedforward focuses on what changes should be made to achieve a goal rather than dwelling on the past. Instead of asking „Why did this happen?“ we should ask, „What can I do to ensure this mistake doesn’t happen again?“

It’s important to recognize that there is no „correct“ behavior. What is considered faulty or correct is highly context-dependent. We always act to the best of our knowledge and conscience, based on what we have learned. In the context of our past, our behavior was successful. However, in the present or future, that same behavior might be classified as a „mistake.“

Therefore, we should learn from our mistakes to understand how the new context evaluates certain behaviors. This way, we can learn the norms and values of our new environment if given the opportunity.

Mistakes are not the end; they mark the beginning of a new learning process.

Embracing Change: Every Life Stage is a New Beginning

“Every life phase offers the opportunity to start anew.” – Rita Süssmuth

Every time has its purpose and presents us with challenges. These challenges can lead to two outcomes: either one fails and is overwhelmed, or one finds a way to overcome them. Overcoming does not always mean turning the challenge into success. It can also mean learning to live with it and gaining something positive from the situation.

Imagine that large stones lie in the way of our path. There are three possible reactions:

  1. One sits in front of the large boulders, feels sorry for oneself, and waits for someone to remove the stones.

  2. One makes an effort and tries to remove the stones using tools like levers. If successful, the path is clear.

  3. If one fails, there are two alternatives: either return to the first strategy and wait for help, or find another way, such as building a bypass or a bridge over the stones.

These two alternatives—submitting to circumstances or dealing creatively with them—can also be applied to different life phases. As one grows older, it becomes clear that not everything can be achieved in life, and movement is no longer as easy as in younger years. The focus shifts, and often a wisdom and calmness develop with age that younger people may lack. One can mourn the past and reminisce about how wonderful it was to be a young adult, or one can recognize the wisdom and experience gained over the years.

Every life phase is a new beginning when we learn to deal creatively with challenges. This is possible by accepting the circumstances and changing our perspective. Then, we can view every phase of our life as a chance for a fresh start.

This can only be achieved by freeing oneself from prejudices, clichés, and opinions regarding life phases. How each individual interprets a life phase should be left to them.

Embracing Discontent: The Catalyst for Personal Growth and Success

“Dissatisfaction is the first step toward success.” – Oscar Wilde

Dissatisfaction can serve as a powerful catalyst for change. Without emotions like dissatisfaction, sadness, or fear, transformation often stalls. While these feelings can be uncomfortable, they motivate us to take action and make necessary changes.

According to a study by Phillippa Lally and her colleagues, it takes an average of 66 days to establish a new habit (How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world – Lally – 2010 – European Journal of Social Psychology – Wiley Online Library). This period can feel lengthy, and without daily practice, it’s easy to slip back into old patterns. Therefore, uncomfortable emotions, including dissatisfaction, are crucial for consistently applying new habits during this time.

How can we embrace uncomfortable emotions? First, it’s essential to acknowledge their presence; you can’t simply wish them away. When these feelings subside, harness the motivational energy they create. Reflect on the actions, behaviors, or interpretations that led to this discomfort.

Once you’ve identified the root causes, it’s vital not to dwell on the past. Instead, shift your focus forward and ask yourself: What can I change—in my thinking, behavior, and actions—to prevent this from happening again? What support do I need? What strategies can I implement to bounce back more quickly from setbacks?

These reflections, along with a solid plan, can help make your new approach a habit. It’s also important to revisit the past that caused your dissatisfaction, as this can help maintain your drive as you begin to see progress. Additionally, celebrate the small steps you have already taken.

Remember: every uncomfortable emotion is an opportunity for change. Use it as fuel to push beyond your limits and achieve your goals. By accepting and analyzing your emotions, you can carve a path toward becoming your best self.