FROM THE BLEACHERS-739
BY DR. JACK WELCH
Decision or Commitment
There is a powerful difference between making a decision and making a commitment. Most people understand how to decide. Decisions are often easy to speak aloud, easy to applaud, and easy to celebrate in the moment. Commitment, however, is proven only over time. It requires action, discipline, and sometimes sacrifice when enthusiasm fades.
Imagine standing in a church on a wedding day. The groom looks into the eyes of his beautiful bride, his voice trembling, a tear forming as he speaks words of devotion: “Forsaking all others until we are parted by death.” Everyone in the room is moved. The words are strong. The decision is clear. We admire what appears to be a lifelong promise.
Now imagine learning a week later that while the newlyweds were on their honeymoon, the groom was unfaithful. In that instant, the words spoken on the wedding day lose their power. What once sounded noble and heartfelt becomes hollow. The decision he proclaimed was not validated by faithful commitment. Without commitment, words carry no weight.
This distinction matters far beyond personal relationships. It shows up every day in the workplace. Organizations often make decisions in meetings: new initiatives, new expectations, new strategic plans, and bold visions for the future. Departments nod in agreement. Leaders voice support. The decision feels unified and optimistic.
A decision without commitment is little more than wishful thinking. True progress happens only when every department commits to the decision that was made. Commitment means aligning daily actions with the plan, even when it becomes inconvenient or uncomfortable. It means resisting the urge to quietly do things the old way while publicly supporting the new one. It means ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
Being invited into the decision-making process is important. Being heard matters. Once a direction is set though, commitment is what moves an organization forward. Without it, teams drift, trust erodes, and momentum is lost. Just like in that wedding story, the words may have sounded right, but the actions tell the real story.
Decisions announce intention. Commitments prove character. From the bleachers, it’s easy to cheer when decisions are made. Leadership, however, is revealed in what happens after the applause fades. The question is never, “Did we decide?” The real question is, “Did we commit?” A decision defines direction, but commitment determines distance.
Thought for the Week, “What truly matters is not what we say we will do, but what we faithfully follow through on when no one is watching.” Rodney Southern, Athletic Director/Head Football Coach at Copperas Cove High School
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.