The opening sentence of any message often carries more weight than everything that follows. I’ve learned this the hard way.
Recently, a report shared something he wanted to pursue. I was supportive — I really was — but my first response came as a caution. By the time I circled back with encouragement, the damage was done. My intent was positive, but because I led with a warning, it landed as dismissive. If I had simply restructured the order, the conversation would have gone much differently.
That first sentence doesn’t just start the conversation, it sets the emotional tone. In leadership, where words echo longer than we imagine, that opening matters.
I’ve become more intentional in 1:1s. Mondays are blocked for them, and I build in prep time before each call. If I roll straight from deep work into a conversation, my attention is split. Reviewing notes and preparing a loose outline helps me switch context and center myself before we begin.
But no matter how much you plan, conversations have a life of their own. You can only plan your side. A loose structure keeps things anchored, but flow makes it human. The art is knowing when to guide and when to let it breathe — and remembering that the very first thing you say will shape how the rest of it is received.
Next time: The Space Between Intention and Impact
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