Actions speak louder than words
The words we choose matter. How we behave matters more. Culture, leadership, and trust are shaped by what we do — not what we say.
Editor’s note: This essay is part of Cultivated’s core canon — a body of work exploring how clarity, behaviour, and communication shape working life. It sits alongside Meditations on Management and The Painted Picture as a foundational reflection on what good work looks like in practice, not theory.
Actions speak louder than words
The words we choose are important.
How we say them matters.
But actions speak louder than both.
We can tell people what it means to be a good leader, colleague, parent, or friend —
or we can show them through our behaviour.
We can talk about what it means to be a great artist, musician, or entrepreneur —
or we can create, perform, and build.
At some point, discussion must give way to action.
We can debate culture, strategy, values, and process endlessly — but none of it matters unless it shows up in how we behave.
People watch what we do far more closely than they listen to what we say.
And when words and actions don’t align, the message is still received — just not the one we intended.
Behaviour shapes culture.
In organisations, culture is not what’s written on walls or decks — it is what people experience day to day.
Individually, behaviour becomes character.
John Wooden once said:
“We cannot control our reputation, but we can control our character.”
That distinction matters.
Focus on behaviour and character, and reputation takes care of itself.
Consistency builds trust.
Congruence builds credibility.
I’ve come to believe that one of the most powerful forces in work is alignment between words and actions.
When communication matches behaviour — when intention, language, and action move in the same direction — something shifts.
People trust more easily.
Decisions feel clearer.
Momentum builds naturally.
Not because anyone said the right thing — but because they did the right thing.
Leadership, creativity, and meaningful work all share this truth:
Nothing important happens through talk alone.
The work must be done.
The behaviour must be visible.
The example must be lived.
That’s where culture really forms — and where real influence begins.
If this way of thinking resonates, you may find value in The 10 Behaviours of Effective Employees, a short exploration of the everyday actions that quietly shape healthy, high-trust workplaces.
This piece forms part of Cultivated’s wider body of work on how ideas become valuable, and how better work is built.
To explore further:
→ Library — a curated collection of long-form essays
→ Ideas — developing thoughts and shorter writing
→ Learn — practical guides and tools from across the work
→ Work with us — thoughtful partnership for teams and organisations
