61. What can the leader promise?

A promise is the highest form of offer a leader can make. It must be credible, explicit, and possible to fulfil. In this episode, Jonathan considers what he can genuinely promise those he is inviting to help realise his vision. His answer grounds an abstract possibility in a commitment: together, they will reach a defined point and have changed something in the world, giving them the strength and courage to continue. 01:46 Requests, offers, and the leader’s side of the exchange 04:00 How commitments change relationships 05:23 Why leadership communication rarely includes an offer 06:26 A promise as the highest form of offer 06:59 Unify Question 53: What can you promise them and by when? 07:47 The personal responsibility carried by a promise 08:15 Making a credible promise in an uncertain world 09:39 Integrity and impeccable fulfilment 11:24 Distinguishing possibility from aspiration 12:29 Progress, momentum, and the growth of the collective 14:27 Connecting the vision’s progress to its impact 15:20 Promising the first evidence of change 16:10 A commitment that gives strength and courage to continue 17:09 Joining a declaration with a promise 18:03 Grounding an abstract vision 19:39 How speaking possibility begins to disrupt the status quo 21:01 The promise Jonathan can make 21:43 Reaching the first base camp together Produced by NOVA