People Energy Principle #6 – Notice what people say and believe what people do.
People say a lot of things:
- “I’m all in on this project.”
- “I’ll definitely follow up.”
- “Growth is my top priority.”
And yet… deadlines slip, priorities shift, and actions don’t match the script. Is their motivation misaligned? Are they unaware of their true motives? Yes.
Why the Disconnect Happens
Humans are wired to present themselves well. We like to be seen as committed, competent, and aligned. Sometimes we even believe our own words—until our deeper motives kick in: self-protection, comfort, convenience, or simply competing priorities.
It’s not usually deception. It’s unconscious. People often don’t fully know why they act the way they do.
The Leadership Shift
Stop trying to read minds. Instead:
- Pay attention to what people do consistently—it reveals what they value most.
- Treat words as hypotheses, not guarantees.
- Create systems that make desired behaviors easier than unwanted ones.
The Provocation
What if you believed actions more than promises? Your leadership decisions would instantly get sharper—and your disappointment would plummet.
Your Move
This week, pick one area where you rely heavily on what people say—then check their actions. Adjust your approach to what’s real, not just what’s promised.