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Commitment

What a word…

It has the same base as the word Communicate…it ends with "ment"…like you really "meant" it…then there is that 'I' right in the middle of everything…and it starts with "Co", like their is some shared responsibility (like a co-worker, co-author,-co-conspirator)…what a word…Commitment.

In the dictionary/concordance section of my NIV bible the work commit is defined as such: to perpetrate; to obligate or pledge oneself to something. What are you committed to? What have you pledged yourself to? Who are you committed to? Who have you pledged yourself to? Not just significant others…how about work? Whom are you committed to become? What are you committed to do?…Commitment…what a word.

To obligate or pledge yourself to something. What is it like to truly commit to something? In Leadership Awakening some of you got a chance to experience real commitment. Anybody can talk the talk…but to walk the walk…even when it would be much easier just to walk out, and every piece of common sense you have tells you, "I don't need this". No matter what thoughts went through your mind, you made a commitment to the person that sent you to…Trust them.

How many times have we went to bed at night with absolute commitment in our heart, our gym bag packed and determined to get in shape, lose weight, trim up….? What happens at 4am when the alarm goes off?…The snooze button gets a serious workout, that's the only exercise that takes place.

Trust is a big part of the equation. You said you trusted them when you talked with them before class, now in the heat of the moment…it is the point of decision…this is when it truly matters the most. Commitment at the point of decision is real commitment. How many times have we went to bed at night with absolute commitment in our heart, our gym bag packed and determined to get in shape, lose weight, trim up….? What happens at 4am when the alarm goes off?…The snooze button gets a serious workout, that's the only exercise that takes place. Commitment at the point of decision is true commitment.

Here at Empower U, Commitment is a large part of who we are and what we do. Consider the style that our trainers use to conduct Leadership Awakening. Have you ever seen more committed facilitators? Commitment is not only one of our 6 key words in Leadership Awakening, commitment is also the foundation for the 4-C's of Leadership that our graduates from Leadership Adventure get a chance to live during their class.

Whenever I talk about Commitment, I always think of the word trust. Commitment is about trust. How can someone be committed to you If they can't trust you? How can someone trust you if they believe you are not committed to them or to their cause? Commitment and trust…blood brothers of a sort, sisters and co-conspirators…can't have one without the other! It is sort of a two way street that sometimes requires a little bit of faith. Maybe some shared responsibility?…

Trust is a big part of the equation. In the bible the Israelites spent many years in the desert building a relationship with God. At one point of the exodus the Israelites had to collect manna from heaven to sustain themselves. They were told to only collect enough for that days rations, if any were to be stored for later consumption it would spoil and go bad. They had to trust that God would keep His commitment. It is a two way street that sometimes requires a little bit of faith. Maybe some shared responsibility?… Commitment…what a word.

How can you commit your Heart, Body and Soul to the 'cause' if you don't trust that you will have soldiers by your side if you need to resort to 'hand to hand' combat?

As the CEO of a start up company…one that is under capitalized, one that has a dream and many reasons not to succeed and a couple to…how are you to build your team if you cant trust that they will be there in the tough times? How can you commit your Heart, Body and Soul to the "cause" if you don't trust that you will have soldiers by your side if you need to resort to "hand to hand" combat? Would you act differently if you knew that you have a team of committed individuals? Would you act differently if you were committed to your "cause", your mission?…

How can you commit your Heart, Body and Soul to the "cause" if you don't trust that you will have soldiers by your side if you need to resort to "hand to hand" combat?

Would your team's commitment level be higher because they trust that you are committed to the cause and can make something happen? Would they act differently if they knew that they were part of a cause, that their team is committed to making a difference, to add value to this world?… Can your team trust you to keep those commitments that you make? Commitment is a two way street that sometimes requires a little bit of faith. Commitment…what a word.

Think about all your relationships…what would be the effect of adding a touch more commitment to each one…. As you think of these special people and the effect that your increased commitment will bring to each of them, how much more trust will be there, now? This is the opportunity, this is the challenge, can you make the commitment? Is the more appropriate question…Will you make the commitment? The choice is yours…what do you want? The clock of life is ticking and the Time is Now. When you choose…and you will…I trust you will choose correctly. Commitment…what a word.

With Passion-HBS

Scott V. Black
The Empower U Leadership Team
May 2002

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