I’m hard-pressed to think of people more committed to their callings than first responders. Whether those first responders are police, firefighters, or medical professionals, their commitment to service is remarkable and possibly only matched by the extraordinary commitments of our teachers, active military service men and women, and veterans. In my mind, these groups are synonymous with courage and commitment.
Despite a lack of resources, less-than-ideal conditions, fear, danger, and lack of security, these individuals dedicate their days to serving and solution-finding to make tomorrow’s environment safer, stronger, and more secure for all of us. This commitment to duty inspired a conversation I had this week with one of my clients.
The leader, referencing their experience in the military, said, “We just found a way because we had committed to do it.”
That statement reminded me of something I read about three months ago and has stuck with me since (I wish I could credit the source where I read it):
THOSE WHO AREN’T COMMITTED FIND FAULT; THOSE WHO ARE FIND A WAY.
If people are committed to the cause, job, project, or relationship, they’ll exhaust themselves trying to find a way to make things work. The LA firefighters found a way to extinguish the raging fires with a lack of water and resources because they were committed and accepted help from those equally committed.
This month, we’ve been discussing various ways to ask, offer, and receive help, and in our final April Thought Partner, it might be appropriate to consider a key component in that equation: commitment.
All the asking, offering, and receiving do little good if there is a fundamental lack of commitment on the other end. If you find yourself in an exchange with someone who is consistently finding fault, excuses, and reasons why things can’t be accomplished, consider that maybe they just aren’t as committed as you need them or want them to be. The follow-up challenge then is considering if they are the right fit for you or your team.
I’m not equating a traditional business environment or a personal relationship to a life-threatening situation; however, if you feel someone around you lacks the commitment you want and need to feel like they’ve got your back, you may consider how committed you are in continuing to pour into them.
