Keep Your Commitments to Crush Your Career

Sarah learned a tough lesson this week. It was costly, but if she doesn’t alter her habits, it will be even more costly in the future. Graduating in May, Sarah has been working hard on her senior project. She needs a few more interviews for her research and has been trying to speak with a specific executive who has experience with her topic. Circling the date and time on her calendar, she was looking forward to nailing the interview and moving her project forward.

When it came time for the virtual call with the executive, she was wrapped up in something else and did not show for the meeting. Even worse, Sarah did not let the executive know that she would not be attending the meeting. Later in the evening, she finally sent the executive an email stating that she had a conflict at school and was so busy that she was unable to give him a “heads up.” She then asked if they could reschedule the meeting. He explained that he was already fully committed and did not have time available in the time frame of her research. The truth is, after being “ghosted” by Sarah, he was not willing to reserve time on his calendar. Taking time away from his clients is expensive and Sarah’s no-show was disrespectful.

 Losing the interview impacted Sarah’s research and slowed the completion of her project. If she doesn’t find a replacement quickly, she might fail her senior project.

If you want to crush your career, then keep your commitments.

Cultivating habits of not returning phone calls, ignoring e-mails, and missing meetings will stall your career. Mentors will not invest in you. Sponsors will not champion you. Leaders will not promote you.

Early in my career, I was taught this: Integrity is doing what you say you will do.  Most organizations are looking for leaders with integrity, a critical leadership character trait. Fulfilling your commitments is one of the ways you can demonstrate your integrity.

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we must reschedule a commitment. We just can’t make it due to circumstances beyond our control. We get sick. Our child gets sick. Our car breaks down. The boss calls us in for a last-minute meeting. Things happen and there are understandable circumstances. Explain your situation and apologize for the inconvenience.

If you have an appointment for a job interview and you decide you are not interested, then be courteous and let the interviewer know. Don’t gain a reputation early on of being unreliable. The interviewer for the job you blow off might be a recruiter for a future job you really want somewhere else. Sometimes, life comes full circle. Be known as someone who keeps their commitments.

Hopefully, Sarah learned an important lesson that will help her as she begins her career. Honoring commitments, treating others with respect, and growing your own integrity will help you crush your career.

For other tips to Crush Your Career, order my book, Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job and Launch Your Future.