I love words.

Truth be told, I love everything about them.

I love saying them.

I love hearing them.

I love learning about them.

I love using them in sentences.

But most of all, I love that words have POWER.

In fact, my mother (who was maybe the most gifted reading teacher on the planet!) used to tell me daily, “Kid, you need to take words seriously because what starts out as a sound, ends in a deed. ”

And this morsel of wisdom is absolutely, without question, indisputably, 100% true.

In fact, for millennia, the world’s greatest thinkers have repeatedly warned us. “What proceeds from your mouth is a terrific indication of what’s in your heart. ”

Said differently, if your vocabulary is filled with critical, mean-spirited, ugly words, it’s clear you have a serious heart condition.

On the other hand, if your words are lovely, beautiful, and uplifting, you have a heart that’s in pristine condition.

So, to keep you moving in a positive direction, I want you to try this word on for size:

Inexpugnable.

Now, I know what you are thinking.

“Jumpin’ Jehosophat, that’s a 50 cent word! Not only do I not know what it means, I can’t

even pronounce it.”

Nevertheless, as executives and directors in search of extraordinary impact, you need to know this word!

Let’s break it down.

Inexpugnable Defined

By definition, to be inexpugnable (pronounced in-eks-pug-nah-bull) means to be firm, fixed, and unshakable.

Now let’s drill down a little bit deeper.

When we examine the word more closely we see that the letters “pug” are at the center of the word. And from this combination of letters (P-U-G) we get the word pugilism—which means to fight. For example, boxers—pugilists—want to conquer and dominate their opponents (think Mike Tyson in his prime!).

We also see that the word is preceded by “in” and “ex.”

The “in” means “not” (e.g., INvincible—literally “not” vincible). “Ex” means “completely.

Not let’s put the whole thing together.

In = not, ex = completely, pug = conquerable…absolutely, 100%, unconquerable!

Think about that concept for a minute.

If you, (as a board, as an executive, as an organization!) were absolutely, 100%, unconquerable what would it mean?

Try this on for size.

As an executive, you would NOT be deterred by the seemingly endless paper cuts of the day (emails, staff drama, commutes, etc.). What’s more, any and every setback would be viewed as an opportunity to get stronger. There would be no bad days, no bad moods, no bad interactions (because people who are inexpugnable do not give in to those kinds of negative emotions and desires!).

If you, as board, were truly inexpugnable, your group would be an impregnable fortress (built of stone and surrounded by a moat!). Your group would have each other’s backs. What’s more, you’d be seeking out the very best talent to join you (because the more awesome people you add to your group the more inexpugnable you become!).

If you, as a nonprofit, were truly inexpugnable, there would be no dream too big. There would be no donor too intimidating. There would be no challenge too daunting.

Pretty cool, huh?

How To Become Inexpugnable

Becoming inexpugnable (as an individual, board, and organization!) is (and will be!) a lifelong process. But there are immediate steps that you can take to get the journey (YOUR journey!) started..

#1. Practice Self-Control. First and foremost, maintain your composure in every situation.

In fact, people who are inexpugnable focus almost exclusively on their reactions and responses, not on external events.

Said differently, accept what you cannot change and detach your self-worth from external outcomes.

Never forget: the outcome is never in question but your character and conduct is— things ALWAYS work themselves out!

#2. Change The Way You Interpret Events. Rather than viewing a setback or a challenge as a major pain in your southern hemisphere, reframe it as an opportunity to get stronger.

Remember: Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!

#3. Walk. Make no mistake, people who are inexpugnable are physically active. And through their daily fitness routines not only are they able to blow off some stress but they also get physically stronger in the process.

From my perspective, the best way to do this is to walk. Everyday. For at least 30 minutes.

And because walking is stress reduction, moving meditation, and body strengthening all rolled into one, you’ll soon find that the more you walk, the more inexpugnable you become.

#4. Always Keep the Dream at the Forefront. Have you ever noticed that when you keep your dreams and goals at the forefront, life is easier to handle?

This is true because, when you keep the dream front and center, every obstacle is just another stepping stone to something better!

I think it was Edison who said, “I didn’t fail a 1,000 times. There were just 1,000 steps that I had to take in the journey!”

Inexpugnable indeed.

#5. Do the Work! Last, but certainly not least, inexpugnable people, boards and organizations do the work. Said differently, there may be people more talented than you. But there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you.

DO. THE. WORK.

Indeed, hard work (for execs, for boards, and for organizations!) opens doors and let’s the world around you know that you are serious about what you are doing.

And when the world recognizes that you are literally inexpugnable, they’ll stop fighting you and start joining you.

Extraordinary Impact

In the words of J. Patrick Traynor, the President and CEO of Dakota Medical Foundation, “If we want to achieve extraordinary impact, we need to be inexpugnable!”

When he first uttered these words to me several months ago in a strategy session, I honestly didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.

But the more he hammered away at this concept, the more I understood what he was trying to articulate.

Inexpugnable people don’t give up—and they certainly don’t give in.

Inexpugnable people never quit trying to bring out the very best in all those around them.

Inexpugnable people go the distance—and they do it with an attitude of joy and gratitude.

Inexpugnable people are fierce and uncompromising in their desire to protect the people

who can’t protect themselves.

Amazing.

Today, right now, be inexpugnable.

As an executive, as a board, as an organization, BE INEXPUGNABLE!