Press the arrow to listen to Steven Curtis Chapman sing “Miracle of the Moment” while reading today’s devotion.

Scripture
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

He who seeks good finds goodwill…. Proverbs 11:27

Observation
If the tongue is a rudder, then a leader’s words navigate great things. Hallway conversations, parking lot interchanges, head-in-the-office-door moments can either steer the vessel home or onto the rocks. The Proverbs are probe-words that make a leader filter the words he speaks along the way.

Here are three lessons Solomon is teaching me today.

First, say little when others say a lot. When there is a blizzard of conversation, then to be sure selfish ambition is at work. The wise leader listens when others blabber. Yesterday a friend told me how he was a chauffeur for Steven Covey. He said that the motivational speaker laid down in the back seat of the car and asked endless questions and just listened for the answers.

Second, say much when others say nothing. The best encouragement comes when someone knows the good he has done, but no one has said a word of encouragement about it. Encouragement is recognizing the truth and exposing it. Encouragement does just what the history of the word implies: it puts courage into people. Every human being is like a slow leaking tire; our words of encouragement pump them up. It is not long after this that others will encourage in return.

Finally, find the best in everything and in every one, and they will find the best in you. The attitude we project toward others is what is mirrored back toward us. Those who pursue good find goodwill.

Application
My life is about leaders, teams and words. I need to maximize them. I need to reflect early in the day what needs to be said, and not let my conversations be only spontaneous.

Prayer
Father, use my tongue for good today. When others are speaking much, beat me over the head so I remember to say little. When others are saying nothing, extract me from self-focus to say a lot. And give me eyes to see what is good that no one is cheering about and to pursue it. The bottom line today, please speak through me. Amen.