The Power of Small Promises

Would you take investment advice from Warren Buffett? How about tennis tips from Serena Williams? Feedback on your horror novel from Stephen King? Of course you would. Why?

Turns out, it’s not just because they’re good at what they do. There are many talented investors, athletes, and authors out there. Why then would you almost unequivocally trust these three? Two words:

They deliver.

Yes, they’re good at what they do, but they also have a track record of churning out profits, championships, and bestsellers again and again. Their consistent success in their chosen field year after year makes us confident we can depend on them in the future.

Many people possess competency (knowledge, skill, and judgment) in an area, but how many have the commitment and focus to actually do what they say they are going to do? Buffett, Williams, and King would all tell you those glorious, extraordinary results were born from mundane, everyday disciplines.

Turns out, a reputation for reliability is built on closed promise loops.

Every time you make a promise to someone, you open a promise loop. When you fulfill that promise, you close the promise loop and your trustworthiness grows in their eyes. The promises can be big or small—the important thing is that you close them.

Here are three tips for managing your promise loops:

1. Make Intentional Promises. Don’t be flippant about your word; think it through before you commit. On the other hand, don’t avoid making promises—you can’t close a promise loop you never open and you can’t grow your reputation without closing promise loops.

2. Keep your Promises. Open as many promises as you can keep—no more; no less. Don’t rely on sheer willpower to fulfill your promises—link promises to your identity and set up systems to help you to do what you say you will do.

3. Adjust Promises Transparently. When you’re unable to fulfill a promise, acknowledge it as soon as possible and replace it with a new promise you know you can keep.

Yes, it takes time to build a reputation of reliability in the eyes of others, but you can speed it along by making a number of quick, manageable promises, then keeping them. These closed promise loops form the foundation of dependability.

For Reflection: What is a small promise you can make and keep today?