We’ve all heard it: “Actions speak louder than words.” And it’s true—what you do always carries more weight than what you say. Words can inspire, but actions confirm the truth behind them.

Consider this: How do your actions reinforce what you say about your values, your work ethic, or your standards? If people are misinterpreting your message, it’s often because your actions aren’t backing it up.

Take Martin Luther King Jr., for example. His words—like the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech—stirred hearts and cast a vision for a better future. But it was his actions—marching in Selma, enduring imprisonment, and leading peaceful protests—that gave those words undeniable weight. Without his unwavering commitment to nonviolent action, his speeches might have been dismissed as mere rhetoric. His integrity in action made his words credible.

As leaders, we must recognize that our words set expectations, but it’s our actions that prove we mean what we say. Preaching teamwork without being collaborative, or promising accountability without delivering results, creates a trust deficit. It’s not what you say; it’s what you do that builds credibility.

1 John 3:18 captures this beautifully:

“Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth” (CSB).

This verse reminds us that words, without actions to back them, are empty.

So, shut up and talk—through your actions. Let what you do give power and credibility to what you say. After all, integrity isn’t just about saying the right things; it’s about living them.