"Do What You Say You'll Do"
By Jerry White

During my last senior responsibility in the Air Force Reserves, I had about a dozen colonels and generals working directly for me (working with me, in many respects, since they reported to other active-duty commanders). All of us were reservists who held significance responsibilities in the civilian world-as company presidents, government executives, engineers, and other professionals. We all led busy lives.

In my first meeting with them, I shared my vision and values guiding out joint responsibility for about 2,500 reservists on ten military bases. I said, "Through the years, I've come to understand the importance of one value. If you say you'll do sometimes, then I shouldn't have to check on it again. If you cannot do it, just let me know on it again. If you cannot do it, let me know. Otherwise I'll assume the responsibility is being carried out.

To some, that may sound harsh or demanding. Yet through the years, both in military and civilian work, I've found that keeping my word and doing what I said I would do gained me more respect than my skill or ability, as skill and ability are of little use when not applied in a dependable way.

I also remember occasions when I told my own supervisors that I was unable to do a task, either within the time allotted or with the resources I had.

Why is this habit of life so important?

• It marks you as a person of your word.
• It makes you a load lifter on your team.
• It makes you a more valuable employee.
• It honors your coworkers.
• It's the right thing to do.

People who do what they promise to are usually sought out, appreciated, and eventually honored.
But consider how you would be regarded if you didn't do what you said you'd do. You would be called undependable, unfaithful, a slacker, a poor worker. Others wouldn't want you on their team; they'd look instead for someone they could count on.

Through the years, I've been privileged to work with a great number of people who are brilliant, skilled, creative, hardworking, and resourceful. I appreciate these qualities, but given the basis of honesty and integrity, I value most that people do when they say they'll do.

Horton the elephant said it well in Dr. Seuss's Horton Hatches the Egg: "I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent!" And Solomon said, "Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat - refreshing!" (Pro 25:13 MSG).