--- title: Can I Keep You at Your Word? description: Leaders, can you really put a price on the value of keeping your word? The people you lead are watching every time you lead. image: https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Blog_Posts/IMG_0177.jpg --- [![PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PG%20Registered%20Logos/PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png?width=1966&height=1530&name=PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png "PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01")](https://www.populusgroup.com/en) - [Employers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/workforce-solutions) - [Careers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/job-seeker) - [Contractors](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contractor-resources) - [Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) - [About](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/about) - [Impact](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/impact) - [Work With Us](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contact) [The PG Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) Search Search this site on Google Search Google Subscribe ### Subscribe to Email Updates Select Category - [Industry (52)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/industry) - [Diversity (44)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/diversity) - [Climber Stories (31)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/climber-stories) - [Community (28)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/community) - [Foreign National Talent Management (26)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/foreign-national-talent-management) - [Compliance (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/compliance) - [Leadership (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/leadership) - [Staffing and Recruiting (24)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/staffing-and-recruiting) - [Contingent Workforce Trends (21)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/contingent-workforce-trends) - [Careers (16)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/careers) - [Military Veterans (15)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/military-veterans) - [Legislation (13)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/legislation) - [Independent Contractor Compliance (ICC) (12)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/independent-contractor-compliance-icc) - [Personal Development (12)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/personal-development) - [Professional Development (10)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/professional-development) - [Company Culture (9)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/company-culture) - [PG Celebrates (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pg-celebrates) - [Managed Service Provider (MSP) (7)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/managed-service-provider-msp) - [Mental Health (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/mental-health) - [Pay It Forward (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pay-it-forward) - [Payroll Services (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/payroll-services) - [Sustainability (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/sustainability) - [AI (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/ai) - [Contractor Experience (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/contractor-experience) Select Author - [Populus Group (70)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/populus-group) - [Bobby Herrera (34)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) - [Whitney Barton (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/whitney-barton) - [Samantha Heilman (15)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/samantha-heilman) - [Brandon Wischmeyer (14)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-wischmeyer) - [Cynthia Waddell (10)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/cynthia-waddell) - [Ejay Oravecz (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ejay-oravecz) - [Austin McCool (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/austin-mccool) - [Jen Pasquier (6)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jen-pasquier) - [Jackie McCool (6)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jackie-mccool) - [Brandon Byrd (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-byrd) - [Tom Mehl (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tom-mehl) - [Briana Walker and Kristine Baker (4)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/briana-walker-and-kristine) - [Sebastian Puravet (4)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/sebastian-puravet) - [Jaylynn Hogeboom (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jaylynn-hogeboom) - [Kathryn Crimmins (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kathryn-crimmins) - [Danielle Hein (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/danielle-hein) - [Taniesha Thomas & Tiasha Holcomb (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tanisha-thomas-tiasha-holcomb) - [Raul Ramos (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/raul-ramos) - [Donna Morris (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/donna-morris) - [DE&I Council (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/diversity-inclusion-council) - [Rosemarie Fontela (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/rosemarie-fontela) - [Brooke Stovall (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brooke-stovall) - [Eric Schmitz (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/eric-schmitz) - [Jessica Bitell (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jessica-bitell) - [Kyle Heilman (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kyle-heilman) - [Mario L. 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[![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/322350/PG_blog_images/pgblog-icon-linkedin.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/bobby-herrera/1/182/578) [by Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) I was on a business trip when my sister called me on Tuesday, March 31st, 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 2nd 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](https://blog.populusgroup.com/3-key-things-i-learned-about-building-trust) is simple; Say-Do-Repeat”.*  And most important, amazing things happen when you do. Here are three.  | ![IMG_0177.jpg](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Posts/IMG_0177.jpg?width=230&name=IMG_0177.jpg "IMG_0177.jpg") | | --- | [![Follow Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/450029/ec3d34f5-0ef8-494f-b019-27174904d2b5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/450029/ec3d34f5-0ef8-494f-b019-27174904d2b5) ## Leave a comment [![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) Written by [Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed. I’m responsible for the overall direction of Populus Group. My job is simple; fiercely protect and enhance our company culture and make sure my team has everything they need to build trust with the great Climbers at PG and the customers that trust us to guide them. I’m grateful for the countless opportunities I've had to make mistakes and grow from them. I believe my responsibility is to pay that gift forward. Above all, Team One is my priority and my kids absolutely own me. I'm a proud Army Veteran, I love the mountains, and I’m blessed to live in Portland, OR. ### Related posts ###### [Leadership](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/leadership) [Three cheers for a great year! 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