The Magic of Serendipity & the Power of Words

This weekend, I enjoyed the magic of a little serendipity — a happy and unexpected event. Friday afternoon I received a text from a cellist I’ve played with before, asking if I were free on Saturday to practice a trio. As it happened, I could arrange it, and we met and played together for a few hours. My apprehension about holding my own in the ensemble melted away as we made music together. A real treat.

This experience encouraged me to explore this curious word ‘serendipity’ — a relatively new word that didn’t really enter common use until the beginning of the 20th century. A word someone had made up. That someone was Horace Walpole, who coined the word from a Persian fairy tale, ‘The Princes of Serendip.’

What’s fascinating is the way language changes, how old words evolve and new words seem to arise from nowhere. 25 years or so ago, we had no WiFi or internet, no selfies or smartphones, and none of us were yet ‘woke’ or ‘cis.’ Even though we may have been, we had no words to describe it.

I remember back to the near-death experience I had in my early 20s. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered what I experienced had a name and that many others had similar experiences. When we give something a name, we can talk about it, share our experiences—in a sense, we give it a life of its own.

Words create worlds for us — for our imaginations, to guide our everyday lives, to mould our minds. They shape how we think about ourselves and others. They can limit us or liberate us.

As women leaders, we face countless challenges daily — the constant pressure on our time and energy, uncertainties and ambiguities, and many distractions that can pull us off track. Often, we lack the words to describe what we’re experiencing, making it harder to address these challenges.

When we find the right words, we gain clarity. We can articulate our unique value and vision. We can develop our thought leadership. We can connect with others who share our experiences and challenges.

Think about the words you use to describe yourself, your work, and your impact. Are they empowering or limiting? Do they capture the full scope of your contributions and aspirations? Do they help you connect with the people you want to reach?

I’ve noticed that when my clients expand their vocabulary for describing their experiences and contributions, they gain confidence. They become more effective in communicating their ideas. They connect more deeply with their audience.

Language isn’t just a tool for communication; it’s a tool for transformation. By choosing our words mindfully, we can reshape our experiences and relationships. We can create new possibilities for ourselves and others.

So I invite you to play with words. Explore new ways to describe what matters to you. Be open to the serendipitous discoveries that come from these explorations. Notice how the right words can open doors, build bridges, and create momentum.

Because in the end, our words don’t just describe our reality — they create it. And as leaders seeking to make a lasting positive impact, that’s a power we can’t afford to overlook.

What words will you choose today to create the world you want to see?