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Leadership commitment is crucial for success. As leaders, we carry a lot of responsibility – not just to deliver results, but to grow ourselves and invest in those we lead. Goal-setting is a big part of that, but so is being intentional about how we show up. Beyond the objectives we set at the organizational or team level, it’s equally important to think about the ways we want to develop personally as leaders.

In this week’s post, I want to encourage you to reflect on your own growth and consider what commitments you’ll make to yourself and others in the weeks ahead. Below, I’ve outlined seven leadership resolutions, along with some thoughts on why keeping our commitments matters and practical tips to help us stay on track.

The Seven Leadership Commitments

1. Work on your character as much as your competency
2. Schedule the most important things first
3. Decide that your employees don’t work for you – you work for them
4. Get up earlier to get important things done
5. Commit to learning more
6. Manage your work-life balance
7. Communicate more with your team

Why Keeping Commitments Is Important

We make commitments to ourselves and others all the time. But if we’re being honest—sometimes we keep them, sometimes we don’t. The challenge is that when we fail to follow through, it undermines our influence and affects the results we ultimately achieve.

When we don’t honor commitments to others, we send the message (intentionally or not) that we don’t value them. And when we don’t honor commitments to ourselves, we weaken our own confidence and self-esteem. Over time, that impacts our ability to lead effectively.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Commitments

1. Be Organized – Think before you commit. What other priorities might conflict? What trade-offs are required?
2. Be Motivated – Align commitments with your passions and the right motives. It’s easier to follow through when it matters to you.
3. Be Honest – If you’re struggling, ask for help. Whether it’s a trusted accountability partner or a teammate, don’t go it alone.
4. Be Principled – Let your values and standards guide you. Resist excuses—they weaken dependability and integrity.
5. Be Apologetic – If you fall short, own it. Be humble, apologize, and communicate how you’ll correct course moving forward.

Until next time, lead empowered, and keep fighting for the highest possible good of those you lead.

“There’s always a way—if you’re committed.” – Tony Robbins

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Sources

“Keeping Your Word at Work: Building Trust by Keeping Promises.” Groupthink – Decision Making Skills Training from MindTools.com, Mind Tools, www.mindtools.com/pages/article/keeping-your-word.htm.
Scuderi, Royale. “5 Tips to Help You Keep Your Promises.” Lifehack, Lifehack, 2 Feb. 2012, www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/5-tips-to-help-you-keep-your-promises.html.