"The word is an egg; once it drops, it cannot be taken back." – African Proverb
In many Western corporate cultures, the written word reigns supreme. Memos, emails, reports, and policies form the backbone of business operations. However, in Afro-American and African traditions, the spoken word carries a power that transcends mere documentation. Ifá divination, Griot storytelling, and the call-and-response dynamics of Black churches all illustrate that words are not just communicative tools but vehicles of influence, transformation, and legacy.
What if we applied this understanding to the way we lead, hold meetings, and shape company cultures?
The Primacy of the Spoken Word in Afro-American Wisdom
In African and Afro-American traditions, speech is action. Words are infused with "Ashé"—a Yoruba concept signifying the power to bring things into being. To speak is to create, to shape reality. This contrasts with the Western corporate fixation on documentation, where the assumption is that if something isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist.
In Black oral traditions:
Oratory is Leadership: Think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, or Maya Angelou. Their words mobilized movements, not because they were written, but because they were spoken with intentionality.
Call-and-Response Builds Engagement: Unlike one-way communication in corporate boardrooms, Afro-American traditions thrive on participatory dialogue. This could revolutionize how meetings are conducted.
Verbal Contracts Hold Weight: In many African cultures, breaking a spoken promise is as serious as breaking a written one. This could redefine how trust is built in leadership.
The Problem with Over-Reliance on Written Communication in Business
The modern corporate world is drowning in emails, PowerPoints, and lengthy reports. But does all this documentation translate into action?
Meetings That Feel Lifeless: Many meetings are structured around agenda points that participants read passively rather than engaging in active discussion.
Leadership Without Presence: A CEO who communicates primarily through memos and emails lacks the human connection necessary for true influence.
Trust Without Voice: Employees may follow written policies, but they trust leaders whose words resonate authentically in real time.
If we recognize the power of the spoken word, we can reshape how businesses operate.
Applying the Power of Word to Leadership and Meetings
1. Redesign Meetings as Storytelling Circles
Instead of rigid, agenda-driven meetings, adopt the Griot model—where oral historians passed down wisdom through engaging narratives. A leader can open meetings with a story that provides context, energy, and a sense of mission. Research shows that storytelling enhances memory retention and engagement far more than bullet points.
Try This: Start meetings with a compelling anecdote or metaphor rather than a slide deck. Let team members respond, creating a dynamic exchange rather than passive reception.
2. Emphasize Verbal Commitments Over Bureaucratic Red Tape
In Yoruba tradition, a word given is a bond sealed. Instead of overloading teams with excessive documentation, shift focus toward verbal accountability. When leaders articulate clear expectations and employees affirm their commitments vocally, a deeper sense of responsibility emerges.
Try This: At the end of meetings, have each participant state out loud what they are committing to, rather than just noting it down. This activates a psychological sense of ownership.
3. Reclaim the Art of Oratory in Leadership
An inspiring speech can ignite action in a way no email ever could. Leaders should cultivate their ability to speak with clarity, intention, and power. Think about how great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama used the rhythm, tone, and cadence of their voices to inspire movements.
Try This: Invest in executive speech training, drawing from traditions like African storytelling, Baptist church sermons, or spoken-word poetry. The goal is not just to speak, but to move people.
Final Thought: What If We Led With Our Voices?
What would happen if corporate leaders embraced the African philosophy of words as power? If meetings were designed not just to document decisions, but to spark engagement? If leaders spoke not just to inform, but to inspire?
Words shape reality. In business, as in life, the most influential leaders are not the ones who write the longest reports, but those who can speak in a way that transforms minds and moves hearts.
So, how do you use your voice to lead?
Ashé!
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DAILY IFÁ BUSINESS