Hope-Based Communication

“I’m such an idiot,” wrote one student in an email to a professor.  “I can’t believe I messed up!”

“Well the prognosis is not good at all,” the doctor said bluntly to his patient shaking his head back and forth while looking at the ground.  “You’ll need your breasts cut off.”

“You’re late again!” snaps a manager to an employee as she sheepishly walks to her desk.

How we communicate says a lot about a person.

The words chosen.

The tone used.

The body language that speaks volumes.

Hope-based communicators are congruent.

They mean what they say and say what they mean.


They work to inspire.

To motivate.

Because it is good for others.

And them.

Heck, it is good for all.

It is like a good cancer (is there such a thing as a good cancer?).  You know, where something is contagious.

Like enthusiasm.

And you just want to be around it.

Or in it.

So, those fear-based statements we began with?

How bout’ instead …

“I’m so awesome!”

“You’ll need surgery, but we’ll get through this together.”

And, “we’re so glad you could join us.”

After all, isn’t it about how you make them feel?

It sure is.