Commitment determines credibility

What are commitment and credibility? Commitment is the term for the act of granting someone what you have agreed upon with each other. The most common example of commitment is punctuality. It is the simplest form of showing commitment. To be credible implies the claim to consistently keep one's promises. Accordingly, those who do not keep their promises appear untrustworthy. Forgetfulness can be excused more easily than untrustworthiness, as this is also interpreted as indifference.

How is commitment expressed?
In both the professional and private spheres, it is generally noticeable that commitment has decreased. It is not surprising that promises or commitments are more likely to be kept if they are recorded in writing. The fear of the burden of proof in writing or the threat of punishment enforces commitment. What are the reasons for this? Do we lack role models whose word can be relied upon or have we become too accustomed to formal authorities who demand commitment in writing. What is our orientation today? Businesses orient themselves according to market needs and trends, make promises that often seem noncommittal in imprecise language.

Examples from visions, strategies and mission statements:

• we want the best
• we are constantly learning
• we live individual standards
• we are successful, leading and formative
• we continuously improve ourselves to excellence

If statements are not comprehensible, they cannot be verified and are therefore non-binding. Thus they have the effect of
Repeated case of implausibility.

How can you promote commitment?
Companies that want to be measured by their promises and performance are clear in the expression of their objectives. This can be seen in the following identifying characteristics:

• Written documents are written in such a way that everyone understands them.
• Foreign words are avoided because they can be interpreted differently.
• Product and service descriptions are formulated with precise promises so that they can be measured.
• Employees are required to do what is feasible in order to achieve success in small steps.
• Announced sanctions are implemented, even if they are emotionally unpleasant.
• Mistakes are admitted before others discover them.
• The information culture is clear, time and level appropriate

The consequences of non-commitment
If superiors and subordinates treat each other in a noncommittal manner, it is likely that the same will happen with customers and business partners. Such relationships are usually about benefiting as much as possible from others without anything in return. At the same time, it is also an expression of the company culture, which is supported by like-minded people. It attracts appropriate employees and keeps away those who do not like to work with the former.

To fulfil an expectation means to live mutual acceptance and credibility. The moral consequence is integration. Every fulfilled commitment contains an intermediate step to our personal success. It is the visible and tangible consequence of our efforts. To fail to live up to the agreed-upon expectation is to be accused of lying, laziness, or indifference. This creates distance, the moral consequence is exclusion.

Can I protect myself from untrustworthiness?
Yes! I can listen attentively, ask questions and have facts confirmed. This gives me the opportunity to decide in advance whether I want to accept the promise or not. Commitment and credibility can be lived independently of time, money and status. Protecting oneself and others from untrustworthiness succeeds when the goals of agreements are set in such a way that they can be fulfilled in every case, with a feasible

Success is not always synonymous with material gain

effort and time. Another protection is to signal immediately if the agreement cannot be kept, e.g. before the agreed deadline has expired.

Why verbal agreements deepen commitment In the verbal agreement, the focus is on a common goal that is to be achieved by following action guidelines of values. The basic intention is to achieve the common goal without any ifs or buts. The additional, unspoken expectation is the trust given because without writing there is no threat of demands. And this trust, unlike the written agreement, is not directly linked to sanctions. The promise made, not through fear, but through shared expectation, creates a sustainable relationship between the two parties. It is reliability. It connects and allows closeness.

An agreement on a concept of values, such as accuracy, does not require detailed execution because not only a feeling but also a networked expectation is linked via the concept of values. This creates an atmosphere of mutual trust because no pressure is built up about possible consequences. To align oneself with values, to demand them verbally, automatically includes the value of living trust - trust in oneself and in the "vis-à-vis".

Success depends on commitment
Success is not always synonymous with material gain. Above all, relationships should be successful because they enrich everyday life and support each other even in difficult situations. Is it not the group that leads to success and not the individual? This awareness should always remind us, whether in business or private life, that commitment has a great effect.

Commitment is exhausting because a promise triggers an expectation and I have to meet it. In this way I myself become a point of orientation. Without this orientation, no self-awareness is possible. Commitment creates self-assurance and thus credibility. Commitment creates a bond, especially when it is adhered to without a safety net and thus leads to mutual success through trust. An organization is measured by its commitment. And this shows the degree of its authenticity