What works better? A public commitment? Or a quiet one?
Ekpedeme "Pamay" M. Bassey
Lifelong Learner. Change Agent. Author. Keynote Speaker. Independent Board Director.
Ready to discuss #4 of the 365 Things I Learned From 365 Days of Learning? Here it is: It is okay to make a quiet commitment. Sometimes it turns into a movement, sometimes it doesn’t. But regardless of how public the commitment, small consistent actions can be transformational.
You might find it humorous to hear me talking about quiet commitments. After all, I’ve made several commitments that are quite public, from My 52 Weeks of Worship to My 365 Days of Learning. Over the past 10 years, I’ve shared what I have learned from the first commitment – in a book, a TEDx talk , and with whoever wants to talk about it, frankly. Over the past year I’ve also shared my learning journey, and I will continue to share what I learned during that year as well.
But truth be told, both started with a quiet, personal commitment: The first started on New Year’s Eve, 2009, after I had been through a personally challenging year, and I needed to find a way to regroup, heal, and move forward. The second happened on a snowy day in Toronto, Canada, after my first leadership conference 6 weeks into a new job that I was still trying to wrap my arms around. What I decided in both cases is that there was a challenge ahead, and I was going to embrace my superpower as a lifelong learner and learn my way through the challenge.
Although I started to document my actions each day, each week, I didn’t make a large public commitment until I was a significant way through each journey. And that’s okay. It’s okay to make a quiet commitment. Just make one – embrace the lifelong learner in you and start the path towards a transformation – either personal or professional, or both. Sometimes it may start a movement, and sometimes it may not. But I believe either way is worth it.
Curious what you think. When you are preparing to change – your life or your organization, do you prefer to make a public commitment? Or a quiet commitment? What works better for you?
**********************
Ekpedeme "Pamay" M. Bassey is a lifelong learner, a lover of laughter, words, big ideas, and serving her community. She is the Chief Learning Officer at the Kraft Heinz Company and the Chief Experience Officer of The My 52 Weeks of Worship Project.
On February 1, 2019, Pamay made a professional commitment to learn something new every day and share it out to her Kraft Heinz Family. On January 31, 2020, she completed 365 Days of Learning, part of an effort to model what it looks like to #LearnLikeAnOwner and #MakeTimeForLearning in an organization undergoing a learning transformation.
As a result of that year of learning, she created a list – the 365 Things I Learned From 365 Days of Learning. Enjoy reading about all the things!
Chair of the Board and Chief Thought Leader @ Herrmann | Author | C Suite Advisor
2 年I love this question Pamay! I have done both. I usually feel like making a public commitment will help provide me with social support and pressure to live up to it-- like a weight loss goal. Other times, I tend to stay more quiet about other commitments that are emergent and perhaps scarier to declare. Your post has reminded me that I want to be more vocal about some that have been "floating". Thank you!
Co-Founder | President | Chief Strategy Officer at Disruption Advisors | Expert in Leadership Growth, Executive Coaching, and Organizational Strategy | Inc. 5000 Honoree
5 年I love, "Although I started to document my actions each day, each week, I didn’t make a large public commitment until I was a significant way through each journey. And that’s okay." I am a big believer in developing momentum and getting more wind in my sails before announcing it. Then when I announce I feel more confident in my ability to commit and achieve the goals I set forth. Thanks Pamay!
Advisor on positive use of Generative AI for human learning and development
5 年Thanks for the thoughtful question. When I’m preparing to make a change, a quiet commitment provides a more sure beginning. This may be partly because I am introverted by nature (Myers Briggs INFP), but mainly because a quiet start gives me time and space to gather the forces I need for the change. For me, a public commitment expends too many forces externally that I need internally. This thought helps me with change: “If you want to change the world, change yourself. Just remember, changing yourself is the single hardest thing to do in the world.”
L&D architect - Ensures the effective design, development, and delivery of enterprise-wide performance enhancing organizational initiatives. | DACUM/SCID Certified | PDP Professional Certified I Articulate 360
5 年I make a quiet commitment. ??