High Performance Leadership

Are some life lessons harder on you than others? The hardest of course are those that damage you -- falling victim and learning not to be a victim, getting dominated and either building strength or embracing servitude -- lessons that we don't necessarily choose because they choose us. A lesson that chose me was this: people seldom keep their promises. Even the people I have felt the closest to have broken promises. Even people who swore on legal oaths (and yes, even on a Bible) have broken promises. And, of course, I have broken promises. Hard lessons all.  Why do we break our promises? Because they are so very hard to keep. They bind us. They restrict us. They surrender us to the word and well-being of another or others and as a result it feels as if our own freedom diminishes. We just aren't wired to give that stuff up easily. But we sure do promise it easily. People make promises they have no earthly chance of keeping and often no conscious intention of keeping. That's a...

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 pro...

Do you make a lot of promises? Leaders with credibility keep their promises. To keep their promises, high performance leaders prevent themselves from over-promising. Not too many promises. No promises too large. Tell the truth. Stretch yourself, but don't break yourself and for goodness sake don't break your word. We should make few promises because they are so hard to keep. No one wants to hear "I tried." We're listening for, "Yes, I did." -- doug smith

How are you at keeping your promises? Do you think anyone is paying attention? Everyone is paying attention. Promises matter. Centered leaders are careful about giving promises because they are so vitally important to keep. Broken promises are not forgotten. Broken promises damage integrity, character, reputation, and effectiveness. Broken promises keep people from becoming high performance leaders. We can do better. We can keep our promises. What promise have you been holding back on? How about keeping it today? -- Douglas Brent Smith

Where do you start? When you're building a team. When you're starting a project. When your developing a career. When you bonding a relationship. Build a strong enough foundation and your subsequent mistakes won't matter. Take the time to create the agreements, the conditions, the promises that you keep. Take the time to steady the ship and the waves won't matter. Sure, problems will bother you. Certainly, mistakes will sometimes hurt. But that strong foundation that you build creates resiliency that will see you through. Why not build for the long, long term? -- Douglas Brent Smith

Leaders who keep their promises keep their followers. It's as basic as that. How are you at keeping your promises? Do you have any amends that you need to make for breaking promises? How can you be sure to keep your promises from now on? -- Douglas Brent Smith http://frontrangeleadership.com