DECLARATIONS CREATE POSSIBILITIES 181 "I Don't Do Risky," and Other Excuses Inevitably, when I bring up declarations in a workshop, people are squirming in their seats, bursting to tell me why this is a crazy idea. They are uncomfortable making bold proclamations--out loud-- that they might not be able to live up to. They worry about losing credibility. They live their life by the motto that it's better to under- promise and overdeliver. They play it safe. I am not advocating making fanciful declarations that you can't possibly meet. I'm suggesting that declarations have a pivotal role in pushing others and ourselves toward larger objectives that are just within our grasp if we strive. Declarations are about inspiring others, using our personal influence, and showing confidence in our own abilities. We live in a world where the de facto standard is a workplace of masterful hedgers. (The cultural expression "CYA" emerged for a reason.) We walk around hedging our bets and making watered-down We walk around hedging declarations all the time. It's neither our bets and making interesting nor inspiring. And it's a watered-down declarations missed opportunity to be more. all the time. Consider these common workplace statements. What are your reactions to them? Hedge If everything breaks our way, we can hit our quarterly number. I think I might be able to streamline our financial processes. This new product just might change the nature of our industry. I'm going to try my best to exceed my development goals this year. I commit to streamlining our financial processes by year's end. We are going to change the face of our industry with this new product. I will exceed my development goals this year. Declaration We will hit our number this quarter. When you see the statements side by side, the difference is abundantly clear. You can't get very excited about a statement filled American Management Association · www.amanet.org