Our nation’s Declaration of Independence was framed and signed many years ago. A unanimous decision by fifty-six men taking the risk of being punished as traitors made it happen.

 

What powerful reminder is revealed yet today in that enduring language?

 

As you may enjoy a periodic reading of this document, pay attention to the closing (my italics):

 

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

 

A mutual pledge is powerful. Consider how a mutual pledge might raise the impact – and likelihood of change:

 

From This….	To This….
Heads nod at the close of a meeting in which a supervisor asks employees to work better together to reduce errors and improve customer service.	At the close of a meeting, each employee faces colleagues and says, “In the future to avoid data errors and assumptions that may delay customer service, I will talk with you   when I need to clarify information in an order.”

 

How can you use the power of mutual pledges to change and improve your organization’s culture?