Do you have CEO Commitment Phobia?

A trusting handshake

Most of us are likely familiar with commitment issues in romantic relationships. While we might not personally have any commitment issues in that department, I wonder if CEOs, in general, have commitment issues in other areas.

A CEO's word should be golden. If we say we are going to do something, then we do it. Following up on our commitments creates a bond of trust. We want to develop a reputation for keeping our commitments. It's part of our executive presence.

But where else does commitment show up? It's in the power of our words. Someone asks for a favor or asks us to show up at an event, and we say " we'll try" versus "absolutely." What we're really saying is "probably not," but we lack the courage to simply say no.

For years I regularly entertained business associates for lunch at a particular restaurant I liked. I always asked to be seated in Streeter's section. Streeter was a first-class waiter. You could trust him. You might ask, "Could I have the sauce on the side?" He would respond with an assured "I'll see to it." Or, may I substitute grilled vegetables instead of fries?" His response? "I'm on it." You just knew that Streeter would take care of it. And for nearly ten years, he always did.

Then there is the commitment to show up on time. Do you know someone who is consistently late? It makes a statement about them. When we are on time, it says, "You matter." For years, I would routinely show up horribly late. It was my trademark. If I were in an important session with a client and our time ran over, I wouldn't leave, even though I had another commitment to get to. I thought I was showing empathy to my client, and had no clue how arrogant I was to the next because of my tardiness. I've since corrected that.

Commitment means that we do what we say we will, almost always. Sure, things will happen. And when they do, we let the other person know. It's a matter of respect. And it's a matter of our character and presence.

Remember the 1981 slogan of FedEx?

"When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight."

Now, for the most significant commitment of all. Do we keep the commitments we make to ourselves? We say we're going to the gym three times a week. Do we? We commit to making our health a priority. And then...we slip up and fall back to old familiar habits. If we can't keep the commitments we make to ourselves, how we can expect to keep commitments to others?

Remember Yoda's admonishment to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars?

"Do or do not, there is no try."