Dear men, (#150)
Keeping Your Word Is the Foundation of Your Character
It is one thing we can give and still keep: our word.
Very few things attest to our credibility like our ability to keep our word and deliver on our promises, both personally and professionally. A man’s word should carry weight, when you say, “I will do it,” people should have confidence that you will follow through. Not because circumstances will always cooperate, but because you do not make promises carelessly.
Integrity is built when what we say and what we do consistently agree.
Keeping your word does not mean you will never fail. Life happens. Circumstances change. There will be moments when you cannot fulfil a commitment. Character is demonstrated in what you do next: communicate, take responsibility, apologise where necessary, and make every reasonable effort to put things right.
The danger is becoming comfortable with making promises we have no intention of keeping; “I’ll call you.” “I’ll be there.” “I’ll take care of it.”and then, the words disappear into silence.
Over time, repeated broken promises can erode trust. People begin to question not only what you say, but whether they can rely on you when it matters.
This applies to the promises we make to ourselves too. Every commitment we keep strengthens our discipline, confidence and self-respect. Every commitment we casually break makes it easier to break the next one.
Our families, friends, colleagues and children are watching. They are learning whether our words can be trusted and whether our commitments mean something.
So, let us be intentional with our words. Saying what you mean, meaning what you say. And when you give your word, let your actions give it credibility.
Because character is hardly what we say about ourselves. It is what our consistency says about us.
I’ll write you next week, until then share and think on the 150th edition of these letters.
JACK, Sogbeye
Gods man
