October 12, 2026

The way you speak to someone starts before you open your mouth; it's not just what you say, but who you believe you're talking to.

What we believe about people shows up in our words, and sometimes, without realizing it, we start talking to them based on the version of them we've decided is true.

That’s why I like to take a step back and consider what I value about the person in front of me—and remember that they are still becoming, and so am I.

This doesn't mean ignoring what needs attention, excusing poor choices, or pretending something isn't true; we can address what needs to change without letting it define the person. There's a difference between seeing someone clearly and deciding that's all there is to see.

Maybe the person in front of us is still learning, growing, more capable than we've given them credit for. And perhaps, most importantly, there's something in them we could help strengthen simply by seeing it. Don’t assume they already know it. Speak to it, encourage it, and help it grow.

Typically, when we change how we see people, we change how we speak to them. Often, the words someone needs most aren't the ones that remind them where they've fallen short; they're the ones that remind them who they are and who they can still become.

Think about the people who did that for you—the ones who somehow saw the winner in you before you started winning. One of the greatest gifts we can give another person is to do the same.

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Carry It With You

What is this week's Happy Monday inviting me to notice?

Who am I talking to? Am I speaking to who they've been, or who they could still become?

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Until next Monday, keep becoming!