When you hear the word “summer,” what do you think of? If you’re in the U.S., my guess is sunshine, swimming, barbecues and, of course, the Fourth of July. We Americans love our mid-summer celebration of freedom and fireworks. After all, it’s Independence Day – the day the Founding Fathers told ol’ King George what he could do with his tea tax and punitive laws, right? At least that’s what most people think.
Why the Fourth?
I was curious why we celebrate on July 4. Yes, it’s the date Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence, but if you look at the timeline of the Revolutionary War, you’ll find several important moments of colonial resistance that would make equally worthy national holidays.
For instance, why not April 19, when the “shot heard ‘round the world” was fired at Lexington and Concord, igniting the American Revolution? Or July 2, when Congress voted for independence from Britain? Or August 2, when 50 congressional delegates signed the Declaration of Independence? With all of these reasonable alternatives, why do we hold grand parades and hot dog-eating contests on July 4?
Don’t get me wrong; I like celebrating on the fourth. It’s a perfect mid-summer pause, a day to spend relaxing with family and friends and remembering the incredible freedom and opportunity we have as Americans. However, I would like to add another good reason for our chosen day of revelry: It’s the power of the declared commitment that serves to make this date special.
When Dunlap’s Broadsides (the first 200 copies of the Declaration of Independence, printed on the night of July 4, 1776) were distributed throughout the Colonies, it was a very public proclamation by our Founding Fathers that they had gone all in, and there was no turning back. At that point, they had to win – or they would die fighting.
What Makes Commitment Stick
The Founding Fathers understood something significant about commitment: Publicly declaring your intentions creates momentum – and accountability. It’s a powerful act, because it’s hard to renege on that kind of force.
My national study on commitment in the workplace affirms this idea. I found that there is something special that happens when people publicly declare their commitments. In fact, 75.6 percent of respondents reported that they are more likely to follow through on a commitment when they tell others what they are going to do. In other words, a public promise is a stronger promise.
When we give our word – out loud, in person – we are more likely to fulfill our promise. It’s one reason marriage vows are often taken before family and friends; that declaration of love and fidelity cannot easily be recanted when everyone you know was a witness.
How to Spark Commitment at Work
Trainers and managers can harness this power by giving employees the opportunity to publicly share the commitments they make. If you’re a trainer, this might mean giving learners the opportunity to share what they intend to do with their newfound knowledge or skills when they return to the workplace. During one-on-one coaching sessions, team meetings or town hall meetings, it can be a defining moment when someone stands before his or her peers and manager and promises to deliver on an outcome. These commitments can then be solidified through periodic updates and status reports. The point is not to shame people into doing the right thing but to provide verbal broadsides that everyone recognizes.
Of course, trainers must model the practice by taking every opportunity to minimize uncertainty and clearly express strategic priorities, how those priorities are connected to learning outcomes, the resources available to achieve them and the support that management will provide. It is impossible to over-communicate, especially when it comes to letting people know what promises have been made to customers, executive stakeholders and members of the team. Telling people cements the commitment and inspires everyone to work together to deliver on it.
So, the next time you see fireworks, consider the incredible commitment that was made, publicly proclaimed and fulfilled back in 1776. Also, consider the commitments you and others make. Telling others what you’re going to do will help to strengthen your resolve to fulfill your promises.
