Here’s what Seth Godin said about “commitments”…
“A ten-year plan is absurd. Impossible, not particularly worth wasting time on.
On the other hand, a ten-year commitment is precisely what’s required if you
want to be sure to make an impact.”
That thinking, that commitment to commit, applies to any goal, doesn’t it?
A Heartfelt Commitment Has Real Oomph
Isn’t making a “commitment” deeper than just setting a goal? Your head and your heart are both in the game.
- You’ll have real oomph when you, for example, make a heartfelt commitment to focusing on an important project for the next two-hours…
…as opposed to having a goal to “make progress with the project today” then allowing distractions to sidetrack you? (I know, I’ve just made the commitment to focus on an important project for two-hours. I was MUCH more productive than normal .) - How will it be when you commit, sincerely commit, to having each of your direct reports felt heard by you in every interaction you have with them this week…
…in contrast to setting a goal of listening to them? - What about when you persuade your team to make a wholehearted commitment to deliver a special project on time and on budget…
…instead of accepting the norm of setting project goals that allow regular work to intrude?
A Commitment Plus A Process
Sally Pearson, the Australian champion hurdler, recently said that she “commits” to following a process—rather setting specific goals.
She knows that it’s her commitment to sticking to the plan that’s going to have her achieve her outcomes. That’s why she’s a 100-meter hurdles World Champion and Olympic Champion!
When working with Leaders I coach:
- We now agree on a “Coaching Commitment”—rather than set a “Coaching Goal”
- Just like Sally Pearson, we support their Coaching Commitment with a well-formulated process, that we call “Strategies” and “Tactics”.
And that quickly elevates their leadership.
An honest commitment, well-formulated strategies and well-structured tactics—it’s a bulletproof formula for success!
Your Action Steps
Think about where could you apply the three-step bulletproof formula:
- Your honest commitment
- Well-formulated strategies
- Well-structured tactics
What commitments will you make that will be the-difference-that-make-the-difference to your success as a leader?
“Carolyn has helped me unleash my true capability and potential by
enabling me to enhance my self-awareness, confidence and assertiveness
then leverage these skills to be a more effective leader.”
— Leader, Strategy & Transformation, Aviation Industry
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carolyn Stevens has worked with leaders for more than 25-years—hundreds of them.
She’s supported leader after leader (including those who previously struggled to confront the difficult, let alone persuasively deal with the it) flourish—and become confident, courageous and impressively influential.
Carolyn is authentic and results-oriented. She draws on an eclectic array of approaches, tools and techniques to suit the situation.
