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High Performance Leaders Keep Their Promises



Do you keep your promises? I do my best, and yet I know I've broken some serious promises. We can learn from broken promises but it's easier to learn than it is to heal. A broken promise is a lie proven. A broken promise is a heart stomped on and painted over brown. A broken promise hurts.

High performance leaders keep their promises. I've learned that could mean to make fewer promises AND to keep track of them. Ask someone to hold you accountable. Write it down. Believe it.

Making any promise lightly comes back a heavy load. The hurt of broken words exceeds whatever convenience felt worthy at the time.

Here are some promises leaders make:


  • Of course I've got your back
  • You'll get all the training you need
  • We live by our values every day at this company
  • I promise to review your work and make it worth your while
  • Your place is secure here...
You get the idea. Promises that leaders make are promises that they should not break.

The thing about promises is that at least one person never forgets.

Even if you do...

-- doug smith


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