OK Solberg: 00:00

I wanna again welcome you to the 04:05 coffee break, guys. It's Friday. Get you a cup of coffee, glass iced tea, bottled water, tall, cool glass of lemonade. Let's see what's happening out there. Spring wheat, $6.08 a bushel.

OK Solberg: 00:13

$6.08. 550 pounds steer calf, $3.94 a pound. A butcher hog in Omaha will bring about 55¢ a pound. And a 100 pound fat lamb in billing, $2.19 a pound. But guys, there's more, much more honest to God, and I'm not whistling Dixie.

OK Solberg: 00:35

I wanna share something I heard in a conversation just on Saturday afternoon. Now you might think I'm making enough, but scout's honor. I swear on my mother's grave and I give you my word, so help me God, and if the truth be told, in fact, I'd stake my life on it. Here, let's come up for air. Did you get the feeling that I might be a little redundant there?

OK Solberg: 01:00

I know, I know. But words are so much fun. I'm dead serious, straight up. I heard this on Saturday. Now to set the stage, I did an episode a few days back last week where I used the word icky.

OK Solberg: 01:17

I told you icky was a word you won't hear a roughneck use. Well, maybe one that worked on the oil rigs, but I'll guarantee that any roughneck that worked on the drilling rigs never uttered the word icky. But one on Saturday, I heard the word icky and it was used quite nicely, and it was used by a lady, and she was right next to her retired rough neck, but he didn't chide her or anything. Well done. If the truth be known, she was talking about how guys use the bathroom and don't put the toilet seat down, and when she comes in, she has to touch that seat, and it's really icky.

OK Solberg: 01:59

You know, like I said, that's a pretty good word choice for that particular subject. Icky fits in real nicely. But it wasn't over ten minutes later at the same table, I hear the word participatory. Now guys, that's a beautiful word. It's one of the reasons I've fallen in love with the English language, and the person who used the word used it perfectly.

OK Solberg: 02:24

Someone had said, you aren't saying much. What do you think? And on cue and without hesitation, he said, I felt I was quite participatory. See, that's my kind of feeling. Just because you aren't saying anything at the moment doesn't mean you aren't engaged.

OK Solberg: 02:42

Someone has to listen, don't they? In ten minutes of time, we went from icky to participatory, from sea to shining sea. We went coast to coast, the beauty of language. So is participatory a word you use? Its definition states involving or characterized by participation.

OK Solberg: 03:08

Right on, man. He was participating, and when called upon, he gave a shining reply. So let's see. What other words are right up that same alley? What other words shine like participatory?

OK Solberg: 03:25

Here, let's check. Responsive is nice. How about reciprocal? Or what do you think a coherent or reflective? There.

OK Solberg: 03:37

We have a five pack. Oh, that's not going to do. Better get a six pack. What do you think about the word collaborative? There.

OK Solberg: 03:47

Now we have a six pack. Let's see if we can make them work in a paragraph that makes sense. He chose the word participatory to guide his work, not just as a concept, but as a commitment. In every meeting, he was responsive, listening not to reply but to truly understand. His efforts were reciprocal, never one-sided.

OK Solberg: 04:11

He gave and received with equal intention. Over time, as projects became coherent, each piece aligned with purpose, none left adrift. He remained reflective, pausing often to question his assumptions and refine his approach. And through it all, he stayed collaborative, drawing people in, making space for others to lead, knowing the real change is never a solo act. What about that then?

OK Solberg: 04:44

Oh, the beauty of language, and I don't find it icky at all. I'll close with a bible verse. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is. Proverbs fifteen twenty three. Thanks to my anonymous friend.

OK Solberg: 05:07

So until next time, as you go out there, remember now, don't be bitter.