in any working environment, employees and their managers often rely on each other when it comes to accomplishing company tasks and the different assignments. Working together as a team is how companies reach their goals, but this calls for loyalty from each and every member of the team. This is why there is a need to be commitment in whatever you do as an employee or employer. Mathias NKeeto, a counsellor and educator believes that in all circumstances, failing to take commitments seriously can lead to multiple issues. For a leader, he says if you fail to commit, those you head will tend to lack trust in you, “Follow through with your promises and stick to them. If possible, avoid or don’t make empty promises.” In case of the possibility of not fulfilling what you have promised on time, Nkeeto advises that it’s ideal to notify others early enough and agree on what next. Enock Shema Ngabo, a motivational speaker says learning to honour your commitments has a tremendous impact not only on your career but also when it comes to your reputation as well as your personal relationship with those around you. He notes that when you are able to keep what you say or promise to deliver, it helps promote trust, respect, and accountability throughout the workplace. What to consider Jackeline Iribagiza, a counsellor and matron at Martyrs secondary school in Remera says keeping your word means that those around you will definitely take you seriously, and most importantly, they will trust and believe in you. Although this isn’t always as easy as it is said, making small but specific commitments to yourself, is important in going in the right direction, she says. “With time, I believe honouring your promises whether they are small or big can earn you an enviable reputation for dependability and reliability, which are all important aspects as far as your career is concerned,” she says. Besides, she mentions that such develops and deepens employee working relationships. To help keep promises and honour, Nkeeto says sometimes it might need one to note them down, depending on what they want to accomplish within a specific period of time. He explains that this is very crucial considering that commitments often come with deadlines. In this case, he says one can as well use a calendar or a phone reminder to mark the date of every commitment they make and the deadline they are supposed to meet. Another core value when it comes to keeping what you have committed to do, Iribagiza says is to simply be organised. This, she says could be as simple as thinking before making any commitment, whether it’s work-related or not. “Be organised by checking on other plans and activities you have prior to committing to another task. Also, having what it takes to fulfil your promises is vital,” she adds. Nkeeto adds that learning to say no if you aren’t sure of whether you will own to what you are committed to is important as well.
