It may work out, so why bring it up?
It may work out, so why bring it up?
If you are concerned that you can't keep a commitment and are hoping that it will work out, don't wait and see! Let the people to whom you made the commitment know about the risks. Explain what you are doing to navigate the obstacles, explore other options, and request the support you need.
Insight: When people successfully fulfill their commitments, they earn the reputation of being reliable and competent. What do you do when you are working hard to keep a commitment, but find yourself in a situation when you are hoping but uncertain whether you will succeed?
Consider this conversation between two colleagues:
Anthony: I still don't have all the numbers I need for your report tomorrow. I've done everything possible to pull this together.
Kim: You know I need that report for my presentation tomorrow. I've been counting on you, Anthony.
Anthony: Yes, I know, and I've been doing everything I can to get the numbers together. The other departments have just been slow to provide the data.
Kim: So, why didn't you tell me? I could have escalated this to the other directors.
Anthony: I was hoping it would all come together and I didn't want to worry you about it.
Kim: I wish you would have told me about this earlier. Just give me what you have and I'll make the best of it.
We all want to look good, so when a commitment is looking shaky, many people try harder to make it happen, but don't create awareness about the challenges they are facing. After all, if everything works out, the commitment will be fulfilled, so why concern their colleague or boss?
However, waiting to share the risks and obstacles can have negative impacts. In the example above, Anthony's lack of communication prevented Kim from doing anything to manage the situation. She had very limited time to explore alternative solutions and was unable to provide resources or support that Anthony might have used.
Key Action: If you are concerned that you can't keep a commitment and are hoping that it will work out, don't wait and see! Let the people to whom you made the commitment know about the risks. Explain what you are doing to navigate the obstacles, explore other options, and request the support you need.
In teams that work together effectively, team members relate to commitments as shared goals. When challenges arise that create doubts about fulfilling a commitment:
Share the risk with the person(s) to whom you made the commitment.
Let them know what you are doing to navigate the obstacles.
Ask for the coaching, resources and support that would help you fulfill the commitment.
Offer other options that are possible and discuss what else could be done to reach the desired outcome.
Renegotiate your commitment if appropriate
Agree on next steps and updates.
Update anyone else who may be counting on the commitment regarding the risks and next steps.
Although it may be uncomfortable to communicate that a commitment is in jeopardy, by explaining the risks, everyone who also has a stake in the commitment will have a chance to manage the situation.
