Blogger’s note: almost 5 years ago I ran this series of blog posts on LinkedIn and EI. Judging from recent events and behaviors, I, and you, can benefit from a refresher. One a day for the next 13 days will follow. Earlier, many of you commented positively. It’s worth repeating IMO.
Making and keeping commitments
Ah, one of my favorite topics! And I see reliability and trust abused and ignored by so many others.
If I say I will call you at 300 pm on Monday, you have a ringing phone in your hands at that very time. If I say I’ll have a proposal to you on Tuesday, you probably have it Monday afternoon.
Others wiggle and squirm with excuses and I hate to ask twice (or more unlikely never again) and their ability to impress me as a great colleague is ruined before they get a chance to work with me or me with them.
If they can’t keep their word, why bother? I can find another one who can, given the natural selection process of the consultant kingdom, ask for a referral from another well-respected colleague who keeps a stable of other well-respected colleagues who have earned their place for referral.
If I have to rely on someone else to answer so I can provide the deliverable(s) in the promised timeframe, I shorten the deadline to the answerer (my big now-open secret) and then I have the span of one extra day to knock heads so I can get what I need in the time I promised!
I expect to deliver to others as I expect to be delivered to me, same quality, same timeliness, same commitment to detail. Period.
LinkedIn personal coach, group trainer, marketing strategist and overall evangelist, having a great time pursuing my passion of connecting professionals so they can collaborate better!
