Please excuse my delay in continuing the “communications” blog. The Chief was out of town for 2 weeks. Why is it when he goes outta town and leaves me the keys to the caddie, things get busy. I’m not complaining though…Anywho, back on topic.

Words mean something. This is a phrase that I have heard and on occasion use. It is a good phrase that is simple and to the point. Words have meanings and we need to remember that they mean things to different people. What do your words mean?

We all have those people in our agencies that just like to talk. They like to talk during training, they chat while on a scene, some of them jabber on the radio because they are so impressed with the words that come out of their mouth. But what are they really saying, and does it mean anything.

My grandfather is awesome with words. I don’t mean that he sits there and tosses out $5 words like they’re everyone’s business. He doesn’t sit there and tell the same probie story over and over. No my grandfather is a master of words that mean something. I have learned that not only do I listen when granddad talks (because that is what you’re supposed to do), but I and others listen because when he says something there is relevance and substance in those words. He doesn’t speak to fluff his feathers or look for anyone’s approval. When my granddad talks it is because, there is a reason behind the words that come outta his mouth.

Now of course some of it just comes with years of experience, OJTW has he calls it. (On the Job Training and Wisdom.) I know that he has more war stories than Ollie North. But he doesn’t bother with all of them. No, when granddad speaks it is because there is a lesson behind it. Sometimes you don’t understand the lesson until days, months, and maybe even years down the road, but there is wisdom in the words.

So how about yourself? Do you talk because you just know that everyone loves to hear words come outta your mouth? Do you just jabber because, well that’s what you’re supposed to with your pie hole when your not filling it. Or, when you talk people want to listen because it is always something important and a lesson is to be learned from your words. Do you pass on good “words of wisdom” and make every speaking moment a learning moment?

What do your words say about you? Not just at work and in the field, but in your home too. Are your words seen has just that, words?