“You have my word”.

Throughout history — Western history at least — the phrase “you have my word” has carried significant symbolic meaning.  It is often paired with the concept of honor and invariably communicates an important contract between those who give their word and to whom that word is given.

Politicians often behave as if changing one’s mind for a variety of reasons is perfectly ok and consequently understood as the nature of the process. Such thinking by a manager is dangerous and seriously undermining.

A politician’s relationship with the voters is fundamentally different from that of a manager and their subordinates.  A manager has the power to hire and fire, influence pay and bonus decisions, and create the opportunities that will help determine professional and career advancement.  That sort of power over specific individuals is beyond that of a typical politician.

For a manager’s relationship with their subordinates to work effectively, a solid level of trust going both ways is essential.  A manager asks subordinates to accomplish many things, any number of them tasks the subordinate would rather avoid.  Implicit in a subordinate’s willingness to comply is the word of their manager that they will support them, have their backs, follow through on whatever promises they have made, and do everything possible to help ensure professional success.

When a managers promises a subordinate something, they have given their word.  Break these verbal contracts often enough and a manager bankrupts the value of their word.  When one’s word has little value, trust, loyalty, and a willingness to follow a manager’s lead inevitably suffers.

There are times when changing circumstances necessitate revisiting a commitment that no longer is possible or prudent to fulfill. These situations are an opportunity for a discussion aimed at explaining the reasons a different course of action is required.  These conversations represent a sign of respect for the subordinate’s ability to fairly consider — if not like — what they hear and make adjustments in their expectations.

Wise manager thinks carefully about the promises they make and the specifics of a circumstance where they give their word.  It is better to acknowledge uncertainty, doubt and withhold commitment when necessary, than to make a promise your gut indicates you may soon regret.

UPDATED May 2026

Categories: Managing & Leading, Self-Management

Tags: advice for managers, best managers, effective management and leadership, effective managers and leaders, line management, management advice, Managing & Leading