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As a Leader Your Commitment Influences Others
Leadership / Advice
People watch what you do more than what you say.
The Reality
- If you work weekends, your team will feel they should too.
- If you skip retros, they'll stop taking retros seriously.
- If you cut corners on quality, they'll learn that quality is optional.
- If you show up prepared, they'll show up prepared.
The Power
This cuts both ways:
- Positive: Your genuine commitment to something signals it matters.
- Negative: Your neglect of something signals it doesn't.
What to Do
- Be intentional about what you commit to visibly.
- If you say something matters, invest your own time in it.
- Don't ask others to do things you won't do yourself.
- When you change priorities, explain why - otherwise people see inconsistency.
The Danger
Over-committing is also modelled. If you never rest, you build a team that never rests. Show that balance matters by practising it.
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