How 2 Be A Director: Promises, promises

Lesson #9: A Director Does Not Overpromise

March 26, 2018  /  Diane Dahlmann

A director never, ever makes a promise that cannot be kept. 

Never. 

Promise to do your best. 

Promise to work the problem. 

Promise to think about it. 

Promise to be as fair as you can be, but nothing more. 

Why? 

Because you are not in charge of all of the variables. There are too many moving parts, politics and personalities in Directorland. 

There is no total certainty. 

Promises that can’t be kept are the same as lies in the workplace. 

They can trap you if they can’t be kept. 

A promise made to someone, especially a member of your team is sacred business. That person is counting on you to work magic regardless of the obstacles.

There is no doubt about it that being asked to promise to do make something for someone is flattering. It sets you up as the person who can make the magic happen and who doesn’t like that feeling?

Directors are in charge so they like helping people and producing results.

It’s natural for a leader to want to assure those asking for something to get swept up in the emotion of the “ask” by jumping in with both feet.

Common proclamations when you are caught up in the moment include:

“I will fight for you!’

“No worries, I’m going to make certain this happens.”

“Let me take care of this for you, it’s no problem.”

Then once the room clears and you start to work the problem or issue, reality sets in. Oh boy. 

How do you back out such statements gracefully if full results cannot be accomplished?

That’s just it, you cannot.

So don’t go there in the first place.

Take a breath. Be flattered that you are the go-to leader everyone comes to for results.

Smile and make no crazy chest beating promises ever.

Then put your talents and skills to work.