In theater, in life, and even in leadership, there’s a golden principle that separates flat performance from powerful action:
You don’t play adjectives. You play verbs.

It sounds simple, but it’s a transformative shift. Whether you’re on a stage, in a meeting, or solving a complex problem, the real energy doesn’t come from what you are — it comes from what you do.

The Adjective Trap

Think of adjectives: “happy,” “angry,” “confused,” “confident.” They describe a state. They tell you what something looks like from the outside.
But when you try to “play” an adjective — act happy or angry — you end up performing an idea instead of living a truth. It feels hollow. Surface-level. Manufactured.
In other words, adjectives tell us how the result might appear, but not how to get there authentically.

In leadership, it’s the same. You can tell yourself to be inspiring or strong, but unless you’re acting — moving — doing something that inspires or strengthens others, you’re just labeling yourself. Labels don’t lead. Actions do.

Verbs Create Momentum

Verbs are different.
Verbs are about action. They are about doing — “persuade,” “comfort,” “challenge,” “seduce,” “protect,” “reveal,” “destroy,” “build.”
A good actor doesn’t think “I’m angry” — they think “I want to confront,” or “I want to expose,” or “I want to punish.”
Action drives emotion. Action drives story. Action drives results.

In life and work, when you focus on verbs, you naturally stay connected to purpose and movement.
Instead of being confident (an adjective), you assert (a verb).
Instead of being inspiring, you ignite or uplift.

Verbs generate force. Verbs move others. Verbs move you.

How to Shift from Adjectives to Verbs

Here’s how to put this principle into practice:

• When stuck, ask: “What am I trying to do?”
  Not how you want to be seen, but what you want to accomplish.
• Define intentions with verbs: Instead of thinking “I want to be powerful,” think “I want to command attention” or “I want to energize the room.”
• React actively, not passively: If you feel unsure, don’t play uncertain — seek clarity. Demand an answer. Challenge the unknown.
• Use verbs even when setting goals: Goals framed with verbs are sharper and more actionable. “Become confident” is vague. “Pitch three ideas to leadership this quarter” is actionable.

Why It Matters

Playing adjectives leads to hesitation, self-consciousness, and overthinking.
Playing verbs leads to action, authenticity, and presence.

In a world flooded with noise and labels, the people who do will always outpace the people who merely describe.

You don’t change minds by looking confident.
You change minds by convincing, challenging, listening, and moving.

You don’t lead by being charismatic.
You lead by inspiring, motivating, building trust.

And you don’t live fully by trying to be happy.
You live fully by loving, risking, failing, trying, growing.

Because at the end of the day:
You don’t play adjectives. You play verbs.