Can I Keep You at Your Word?

I was on a business trip when my sister called me on Tuesday, March 31^st, 1998. “You may want to come home and see him.” she said. My dad had been rushed to the hospital. He was in a fierce battle with tuberculosis, and was fighting hard to stay alive. My sister and I talked about the reality that he may not make it. I wanted to see him one last time if that happened. 

Ironically, I had a trip scheduled to go see him the following weekend. I was about to start changing my plans and for some reason I decided to call my dad first and share my intent to come sooner. He was a very traditional man who didn’t show emotion very often…or easily.  As expected he pushed back and re-assured me, in Spanish, “I’m not going to die this weekend.” I argued and shared that I was going to be traveling to a wedding in Colorado anyway and it wasn't a big deal to re-route to New Mexico. I was adamant that my friend would understand.

His next question changed my life forever; “Did you give your friend your word that you’d go to his wedding?”. I responded “Si Papa.”, he then told me I had to honor it. I had given my word. He went as far as to tell me that if I changed my plans he wouldn’t allow me to set foot in his hospital room. Think of the most stubborn person you know, double it and you have my dad. I knew he meant it.

I flew to Colorado Springs on Thursday morning, April 2^nd for the wedding. That evening I met the girl I would marry 3 years later.     

Leaders, can you really put a price on the value of keeping your word? 

It matters. A lot. The people you lead are watching every time you do keep it and they remember every time you don’t. Like Stephen MR Covey says; “The equation to build trust is simple; Say-Do-Repeat”. 

And most important, amazing things happen when you do. Here are three.