In principle, trust grows from the link between what we say and what we do. People trust you less if you do not do what you say you will do. Often the problem is not that you just couldn’t get to the thing done that you said you would, it’s that you didn’t speak truth when you volunteered in the first place. Often the error is not that we didn’t do something, it’s that we said we would do something.
Practical Tip: Before you publicly (in a meeting, for instance) volunteer for anything, consider the commitment you are making. For every commitment you make, write something down, either on your calendar or on a to-do list. Don’t just say “I’ll do this or that” because it sounds good in the moment. Words without action are just words and it is action that builds trust.
– Craig Freshley
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This is a wonderful piece of advice. People sometimes volunteer because of guilt and once out of the group’s view become less than enthusiastic about what they promised. A good leader learns over time to make the ask in such a way that it is not guilt that drives the hand to go up but rather a willing and able effort to help.
I’ve been there, done that and have worked with others who do the same. It’s very true and a good thing to remember.