A sergeant in charge of the new recruits ordered: “Soldiers, when I blow the whistle, I want you to shoot at will.”

At that moment one very frightened young man ran across the grounds and out of sight.

The sergeant bellowed, “Who was that? Where is he going?”

“That was Will,” replied one of the recruits.

You can’t be too careful with your language. Words are an incredibly powerful tool. They can open doors or slam them shut. When you are mindful of the words you choose, you are not just communicating; you are painting a picture of who you are. August is National Language Month.

Word choice is the essence of good communication. It is not just about what you say, but how you say it. The right words help you convey your message clearly and avoid misunderstandings. Words carry emotional weight. Your choice of words can set the tone of a conversation, whether it is friendly or aggressive, professional or casual.

The way you speak, especially in leadership positions, sets the tone for your team or organization. Using respectful language encourages others to follow suit.

In sales, negotiations or any form of persuasion, word choice can mean the difference between success and failure. The right words can motivate, inspire and persuade people to take action. Your language reflects your competence and credibility. A strong vocabulary suggests education and intelligence, while poor word choice can undermine your expertise.

Words are the building blocks of relationships. They can build trust, show empathy and create bonds. The wrong words can damage relationships, sometimes irreparably. Certain words can offend or alienate people. By choosing your words wisely, you respect your listeners and create a more inclusive environment.

A rich vocabulary allows you to express yourself clearly and concisely. It shows that you can think critically and articulate your thoughts in a way that is both respectful and intelligent. Expanding your vocabulary is a sign of personal growth. It shows a commitment to learning and self-improvement, which are admirable qualities in any individual.

By improving your vocabulary and being mindful of your language, you equip yourself with a toolset that can enhance your personal and professional life.

You never know who might be listening or who might take offense to certain words. By keeping your language clean, you minimize the risk of offending someone unintentionally.

Using inappropriate language can damage your reputation and credibility. It can suggest a lack of self-control or respect for others, which is not the impression you want to give to colleagues, clients or superiors. A major part of self-control is mouth-control.

As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Swearing or using obscenities during an initial meeting, such as a job interview, can be an immediate deal-breaker. It can overshadow your qualifications and experience.

I have a story that underscores the importance of using proper language, and it's a lesson I've carried with me throughout my career.

Years ago, I was in a high-stakes negotiation with a potential partner. The deal was significant, and both parties stood to gain considerably from a successful agreement. The atmosphere was tense, as you might expect with so much on the line. We were in the final stages of discussion when the representative from the other company, perhaps out of stress or habit, let slip a few unbelievable choice words.

Now, I'm no prude, but in a professional setting, I believe in maintaining a certain level of decorum. The use of such language, especially in a delicate phase of negotiation, was jarring. It not only broke the flow of our conversation but also made me question the professionalism and the culture of the other organization.

Instead of reacting negatively, I took a moment and then calmly addressed the language used. I expressed my belief in the importance of professionalism and how our words reflect on us and our companies. The representative immediately realized the mistake and apologized. We were able to move past the incident and eventually closed the deal.

This experience reinforced for me that proper language is not just about avoiding offense; it's about setting a tone of mutual respect and professionalism. It's a testament to the power of words to either bridge gaps or create divides. Since then, I've always strived to lead by example and encourage those around me to do the same.

Mackay’s Moral: It is wiser to choose what you say than to say what you choose.

A city mouse went on a visit to his cousin in the countryside. The cousin welcomed him with a modest meal of beans. The city mouse turned up his nose and said, “I cannot understand how you can live with such poor food. Come to the city, and I’ll show you what a real feast is like.”

The two mice traveled to the city. In the dining room, they found the remains of a meal left by humans who lived in the house, and soon the two mice were enjoying jellies, cakes and puddings. Suddenly, they heard a noise. The country mouse said, “What is that?”

“It’s just the dog who lives here,” his cousin replied.

Just then, the door flew open and in charged a huge snarling dog. The two mice ran off.

“Goodbye, cousin,” said the country mouse.

“You’re going so soon?” said his cousin.

“Yes,” he replied. “Less at peace is better than more in fear.”

Fear is a fascinating adversary. It is not just an emotion; it is a force that can dictate our actions and impact our lives profoundly. In one of my columns from many years ago, I shared a story about a student warrior who had to face fear. The warrior felt small and intimidated, while fear loomed large and threatening. But when the warrior asked fear how it could be defeated, fear revealed that its power came from its ability to unsettle and dictate action through intimidation.

The lesson here boils down to this: Fear has only as much power as we allow it to have. When we are faced with fear, we have a choice. We can let it paralyze us, or we can confront it and learn from it.

Fear often prevents people from taking risks, but embracing fear can lead to innovation and new opportunities. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you open yourself to experiences that can lead to success.

Managing your fears requires you to regulate your emotions, which enhances your emotional intelligence. Understanding your emotional responses to fear can improve your relationships and decision-making.

The best way to tackle fear is to first understand it. Identify what you are afraid of. Is it failure, rejection or the unknown? Acknowledge that fear is a natural response to a perceived threat. Identifying your fears helps you understand your limitations and the boundaries you need to push. It reveals your values and priorities by highlighting what you are afraid to lose or fail at. By anticipating what you’re afraid of, you can take steps to mitigate risks. This proactive approach can reduce the likelihood of your fears materializing.

Leadership guru John C. Maxwell observed, “The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.”

I’ll be the first to admit that I have some fears that follow me. On the silly side, I’m afraid of embarrassing myself on the golf course. I have never let that stop me from playing, and somehow, I have survived every double bogey that becomes fodder for a lot of ribbing from my buddies. More seriously, I fear threats to my company -- another pandemic, supply shortage, finding enough qualified staff -- but we keep the doors open despite it all. We all have fears; it's how we deal with them that matters.

Confront your fear instead of running away from it. Face it head-on. Use fear as a signal that you are about to do something brave and worthwhile. Every encounter with fear is an opportunity for growth. Whether you succeed or fail, there is a lesson to be learned in your bravery.

Every time you face fear you build resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Confronting and overcoming fears leads to personal growth and a stronger sense of self-efficacy.

“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it ... that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear,” advised Dale Carnegie, the motivational author.

Being courageous isn’t about the absence of fear; it is about moving forward despite feeling afraid. It is about using fear as a catalyst for growth, not a barrier to success.

Remember, fear itself is not the enemy. It is a natural response that can be harnessed for positive outcomes. The key is to not let fear control you, but rather to use it as a steppingstone to greater achievements.

Mackay’s Moral: When you make friends with fear, it can’t rule your world.

There are some people who spend their entire lives working with an attitude not unlike Snoopy, the cherished “Peanuts” cartoon character. Snoopy sat droopy-eyed at the entrance of his doghouse lamenting, “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. SIGH. There’s so little hope for advancement.”

I view career advancement as a vital aspect of professional life. It is not just about climbing the corporate ladder or getting a bigger paycheck, although those can be nice perks. It is about personal growth, expanding your skills and increasing your ability to contribute to your organization and society.

I strongly believe in the power of education and self-improvement. Continuously learning and adapting is essential for career advancement. Stay current with industry trends and expand your knowledge base.

Work on improving areas where you’re lacking and leveraging your strengths. Find ways to increase your efficiency without sacrificing quality. Focus your energy on tasks that have the most significant impact on your goals.

Let your excitement for your work shine through. It can lead to more opportunities and inspire those around you. If your enthusiasm is waning, seek out new challenges or projects that can reignite your passion.

Actively pursue opportunities to learn new skills or improve existing ones, whether through formal education or on-the-job training.

Be a good communicator by improving your writing and speaking skills. Clear and effective writing is essential in most professions. Enhance your public speaking skills to better articulate your ideas and gain confidence.

Consistently delivering high-quality work is crucial in building trust. Your reputation is built one task at a time. Follow through on your commitments and ensure tasks are completed to the best of your ability. Make sure your efforts are visible to those who make decisions about promotions and career opportunities.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.”

Setbacks are part of the career journey. Learn from them. Maintaining a positive attitude can help you see opportunities for growth in the face of adversity.

Be resourceful. Be proactive in seeking out the information you need to succeed.

Cultivate a network of professional contacts. Every new connection is a potential opportunity. These relationships can provide support and advice as well. Seek mentors who can offer insights based on their experiences. Be open to mentoring others.

Regularly ask for feedback on your performance and pay attention. Anticipate the needs of your department and address them before being asked. Always aim to provide solutions, not just identify problems.

Establish clear, achievable goals for both the near future and down the road. Keep track of your progress toward your goals and adjust your strategies as needed.

Embrace change in this dynamic business world, a key component of career advancement. Look for ways to innovate. This can set you apart from your peers and show your value to the organization.

Career advancement is not just a goal; it is a journey that involves hard work, strategic thinking and a commitment to excellence. It is about finding ways to add value, improve processes and make a difference in your workplace and beyond.

Don’t be like Snoopy. Career advancement is a marathon, not a sprint. Prepare for the long run with continuous learning and relationship building.

Mackay’s Moral: To climb the career ladder, don’t just step up; build the rungs by improving yourself every day.