Dear Leaders,
Leaders are always being watched. People notice when we deliver and when we don’t. Our words, actions, and body language are often scrutinized, meaning what we do, say, and how we present ourselves are closely observed by those we serve. People we serve pay closer attention to what we do than what we say, and leaders can hurt their credibility by not following through on their commitments. Following through is essential to earning trust and respect. When words align with actions, respect increases, and trust is earned. Admittedly, this can be hard when trying to juggle so many tasks and responsibilities as a leader, but over the years, I’ve been able to use some strategies to help me follow through, even when my plate is full:
1. Write down commitments immediately. My calendar isn’t just for logging meetings and locations; I also use it to set reminders for follow-ups or commitments I’ve made. Writing down what I’ve committed to helps me stick to my promises and prevents me from relying solely on memory. Putting it on the calendar protects me from forgetting.
2. Use systems to close the loop. I often ask my friend Siri to remind me to do something, return a call, or complete a task by a certain date, a strategy I learned from a colleague. We aren’t always in a position to write down every task, but leveraging technology to keep a list of reminders can be very helpful. But the tool doesn’t matter. Notes, texts, or email work — the key is capturing it in the moment, and closing the loop. I especially love checking off tasks to mark them as finished. That physical act gives me satisfaction and serves as a visual reminder that I have followed through on my commitments.
3. Celebrate publicly when follow-through leads to results. Practicing this kind of discipline deserves recognition. When leaders put systems and structures in place to improve their capacity and ensure their words and actions align, it benefits everyone they serve. That’s why I don’t take bringing an idea to complete execution or a task to completion lightly. Excellent leaders are focused on finishing the job, not just starting it.
Leaders lose credibility when their plans and promises fail to translate into action. That’s why the discipline of follow-through is so crucial. This week, I challenge you to pick one unfinished commitment and close the loop. Follow-through builds trust, protects credibility, and sets the tone for everyone you lead. Remember to lead with heart, soul, and from within!
Yours in Leadership,
Latoya