Commitment to ourselves and to all those depending on us. Keep our self-respect.
Along with bonding, commitment is a foundational quality between individuals of a capable team. Commitment sees us through difficult times and is the component that drives teams toward great achievements. A team that is committed to one another can focus on the critical path and has a common bond like no other. No one person or group will ever be successful without a firm commitment.
When we think of commitment, we either completely take it for granted, or we think of concrete examples of what it means to follow. Models of followership are visible at sporting events, where people wear the same colors to display their loyalty to specific teams. Military boot camps give everyone the same haircut to illustrate equality and shared experience. Employees are issued badges during their onboarding process identifying them as part of the company. These more tangible examples are really of attachment and identity.
Commitment is more than pennants, haircuts, and badges. The depth of the word “commitment” comes into play when we add concepts such as devotion, duty, faithfulness, and loyalty. Interestingly, these virtues can be attributed to people, teams, governments, countries, ideals, rulers, religions, as they can to sports teams, branches of the military, and organizations we interact with every day.
Commitment is a quality that sees us through difficult times. Commitment helps us to keep our self-respect and not compromise our integrity when temptation is great. Commitment is what helps us remain true to our beliefs, values, and ethical boundaries.
I’ve counseled both clients and employees that we stand out in the eyes of others, but we’ll never become successful when we compromise our character and show a lack of commitment to friends, colleagues, or teammates. The opposite is also true: No individual or team can become great without commitment.
In the business of going about our work—whatever that maybe—we need to know we can count on our colleagues. When we know they will support us when it’s crunch time, we are more likely to go the extra mile when they need help. That connection makes each of us better. Commitment is the force that forges individuals into a team. It’s the quality that moves teams forward toward great goals and accomplishments. That’s why, as a coach and manager, I always emphasize it.
When I went back to Microsoft, the situation was not what I was promised, nor what I expected. But I had a contract and an understanding with the hiring manager, so I stayed to see it through. I would have compromised my word by leaving, and my word is a core value.
The social contract between organizations and their employees is not much more than time for pay—and employees pick up on that fact. Companies want programs, products, and services that promise “delivery of employee engagement, loyalty, and commitment.” Still, everyone selling those programs knows those results are a byproduct of a healthy system where commitment is part of the bond that holds teams together. I have no problem with an employee requesting a contract adjustment or renegotiation, but to threaten not to give their best if their contract isn’t changed compromises their integrity. It’s not right. There is something wrong when your commitment is always available to the highest bidder.
PRACTICE
Consider the times when you made a commitment to be committed to someone (or their cause), and it proved to be a mistake. Remember a time when you relied on someone's commitment to you (or your cause), and they failed. Reflect on the emotions you felt at that time and afterward regarding that incident and that person.
Based on your experience of being let down by someone, how would you describe the nature of forgiveness?
COMMIT
[ ] I am committed to my family, my colleagues, my friends, and my partner to whom I have given my word.
Alongside technical skills, people who can master a range of subjective skills are better able to influence, deal with ambiguity, bounce back from setbacks, think creatively, and manage themselves successfully in their pursuit of mastery. Learn more about applying craft skills in the modern world.