WHAT IS COMMITMENT?
Commitment is a
component to the success of a team. I have learned that a parachute company has
improved their performance because of the individual commitment of each of the
parachute folders. The folders not only fold the parachutes, they also test its
quality by jumping from the plane wearing the parachute they were assigned to
fold.
The folders must
have to make sure they fold the parachutes perfectly or else they would
experience accidents. When we are at stake, we have no other choice but to make
the best quality of things we can do.
A simple
illustration of commitment is the story of three friends – the Cow, the Chicken
and the Pig! They have to make a breakfast for their school project. The cow
decided to donate some milk and the chicken some eggs. Since the pork can
neither produce milk nor eggs, he has to cut his leg to donate his meat to make
some bacon. Of the three friends, the pig is the most committed!
Commitment is
also like that of the experience of the pig. That is what I have experienced
when I try to live up to what I had promised myself to support the finances of
my siblingsin college. I didn’t have to do it but I wanted to. I was not easy. Commitment
can be excruciating but in the end it is rewarding.
When I think of
commitment, the first thing that comes to mind is D-I-E-T. I know some people
who wanted to lose some weight through diet. They declare “I want to lose 5
pounds,” in the most creative way. Some included it in their new year’s
resolutions. What happens is that a week later, they get tired of dieting. They
just stop! I believe the main reason a lot of people fail in their diet is
their lack of commitment.
To sum up the
meaning of commitment, let me expound it as D-I-E-T.
1. DEDICATION
Commitment is
dedication. If your team is given a task, you have to give your full dedication
to finish it on time and with desirable quality. You have to persevere to
fulfill it. Just like in marriage vows “for richer or poorer, in sickness and
health,” your dedication must be consistent regardless of circumstances.
2. INVESTMENT
When you commit
yourself to your team, you invest time, effort and resources for them. In some
ways, you invest something to achieve a goal.
My sister who is
an elementary teacher, being a fresh graduate had once asked me allowance to
decorate her room. She explained that it is not part of the school’s budget, so
she has to get from her own pocket to make her room pleasantly looking. To make
her room look more presentable, she had to invest some money to buy the
materials. She also had to render unpaid overtime to put the decorations.
When you invest
yourself in a cause, you even sometimes invest physically, mentally and
emotionally.
3. EXCHANGE OF VALUES
When you commit
yourself to a group, you allow yourself to be vulnerable. You share to them
your own values and the same time, you absorb the values of your team members.
If as a leader you exhibit the willingness to sacrifice for the team’s sake,
some, if not all of the members will also be willing to sacrifice themselves
for you.
4. TOGETHERNESS
You team will
flourish if there is a sense of togetherness among its members. The more people
are committed, the better and stronger the team will become. Commitment is
required not only from 1 or 2 members of the team, but it should be from each
of the members.
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