10 Truths About Commitment That Enlarge Leadership
If it feels like you’re pushing ropes, the problem is commitment.
You’re doomed to disappointment, stress, and frustration when you pressure people to do things they aren’t committed to do.
Coerced commitments are compliance.
10 truths about commitment:
#1. Commitment drives achievement.
Refusal to make commitments is deadly. All meaningful accomplishment requires resolve, devotion, and dedication.
#2. People commit for their reasons, not yours.
Values drive commitment.
What do people get out of making commitments?
- Fulfillment.
- Respect.
- Relationship.
- Achievement.
#3. Coerced commitment is compliance.
Coercion and pressure create conformity, not commitment.
#4. Commitments are decisions made once but lived over and over.
New situations provide new expressions of old commitments. But lack of commitment is permission for half-heartedness.
#5. Commitment enlarges your soul.
You rise to your commitments. But commitments you break diminish you.
#6. Reluctance to commit is natural and healthy.
Don’t celebrate when people make quick commitments. Casual commitments are easily broken.
The relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it’s not without doubt but in spite of doubt. Rollo May
#7. Commitment-breakers make excuses and blame others.
#8. Commitment strengthens you against adversity.
Those who aren’t committed find fault. Those who are committed find a way.
The uncommitted run in the face of disappointment or resistance.
#9. Commitment ignites creativity.
You don’t figure out how to do something until you’re committed to do it.
You work to achieve AFTER you commit.
#10. Your capacity to keep commitments reflects your future.
“When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.” Howard Schultz
What truths about commitment might you add to the list?
How might leaders call others to commitment?
More truths about commitment:
10 Ways to Help Reluctant People Make Commitments (LF)
How To Get (And Keep) Others Committed To Change (Fast Company)
Building and Sustaining Commitment (University of Kansas)
Dear Dan,
I am back after a long pause. Good post about the power of commitment to achievement. I find two triggers that influence commitment- willingness and unwillingness. One has unlimited stamina to overthrow even the most adverse situation in the organisation. The other one has limited stamina and impact. It works as long as pressure is applied. The moment, the pressure is released, the effect starts falling sharply. Organisations need to create a climate for the first situation where people are self-committed towards the organisation goal. Unfortunately, it rarely occurs. Most of our relations are based on the transaction. We need to overcome such symptoms.
And this is the bitter truth for many organisations. Commitment demands sacrifice. Leaders expecting commitment from their people should also show their commitment. In other words, commitment is mutual.
The moment, commitment becomes a self-serving tool, coerce or force is needed to view the commitment. Therefore, leaders should be ready to face criticism in case they are unable to meet their commitment.
The rope IS the commitment …
It is woven of the many individual strands of diverse personal commitments for common/collective purpose and direction …
And is only as strong as can be held together when pulled taut under vastly more tension/friction than any individual can withstand.
It is the strategic moral authority by which all tactical ethics rest upon.
We either are strong enough together, or we aren’t.
We won’t know until tested under real stress.
That’s why we need to believe.
Dear Dan,
Quite an interesting post to understand the crux behind success in any sphere!
A leader needs to have a clear vision and the progress path. He conveys the same to all stakeholders with clear communication strategies at frequent intervals to get the individual and collective conviction to the committed goals in the interest of all.
The post contents are quite exhaustive and cover all relevant points to get good commitment. I may add transparency and fairness in the operation area as additional things to take care.
“Commitment” lasts only as long as we apply ourselves, the moment we deviate away we lose our commitment. The path can be long and arduous, it takes the most stamina and strength to endure for all of us at times. I compare the path to “Marriage” if either party slacks off from commitment the process fails or becomes one sided.The same speaks for Leaders, being committed unconditionally to the path they chose.
“Don’t sell the show” if you have no intentions to participate!
An old poster here under a different name.
Don’t expect commitment if people don’t have skin in the game. We are trying to work through some organizational changes right now, but people don’t realize how dire the situation is. Some of that is willful ignorance and some of it is a lack of transparency from higher up. Get rid of the willfully ignorant and be transparent with the rest.
Love ya’, Dan!
“Coerced commitment is compliance.” I love this saying. It distills so much into just four words. Thank you for this.
Good afternoon,
Great piece.
Commitment is a state-of-mind. Leaders and management would love subordinates who mentally align with the organizations mission statement and vision. That’s not reality. Some employees are at the workplace because they need a paycheck, some fulfill the role of interns and others could just be bored and wish to get out of the house. I’ve actually had team leads, supervisors and managers come right out and admit to me just how much they despise their positions.
We live in a society that encourages us to graduate from high school, attend college and graduate and find a job. This seed of a mantra is planted in our minds at a tender age.
Many people love their jobs and other people love the dream in their heart. The American Dream centers on our “birthright.”
Our society needs to change. Instead of being groomed/conditioned to become an employee we need to be taught about life in and of itself and fulfill the dreams of our heart. Life is already written and must be decoded. This is the real meaning of being spiritual. To be in sync with the order of the kosmos, solar activity and the universal consciousness. To be willing to bring forth one’s God-given talents, abilities, skills and knowledge. No reason for competition or jealousy. We’re all born with God-given talents, skills, knowledge and abilities. We are born to share our gifts and talents with the rest of the world. This is true inner joy, love and peace that lie deep within the core of our souls. Who amongst us can see this truth within ourselves? Who dares to live it?
We are all on this planet because we are committed to walk a path.
We must have peace on our earthly journey.
“If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Autonomy, mastery and purpose” according to Daniel Pink
I do wonder if part of the issue is that commitment is expected for no return. At best, the return on commitment is being allowed to carry on doing the same thing, at worst it’s like expecting commitment from pigs to your sausage-making enterprise.