Committing

The Mature King makes commitments and keeps them. His word is his bond. When people know they can count on him, something settles in the household, in the team, in every relationship he touches. Trust is built on kept promises, nothing else.

The Tyrant makes commitments to manipulate but breaks them when convenient. The Victim overcommits compulsively, then fails to follow through. The Mature King commits carefully and follows through consistently.

Good committing requires several practices:

Thoughtful commitment: The King doesn't commit lightly. He considers whether he can fulfill a commitment before making it.

Clear agreements: The King makes his commitments specific. People know what he's promising.

Follow-through: The King does what he said he would do, when he said he would do it.

Communication: When circumstances change, the King communicates promptly. He renegotiates rather than silently breaking commitments.

Focus: The King commits to what matters most. He doesn't overcommit to small things and underdeliver on important ones.

Accountability: The King holds himself accountable for his commitments. He doesn't make excuses or blame others.

The King's commitments look different for every man. Paying the bills. Showing up for dinner. Keeping the house from falling apart. Working on himself. Giving time to the community. The specifics vary, but the pattern doesn't: he said he'd do it, so he does it.

You learn who a man really is not by listening to what he says he'll do, but by watching what he actually does.

The King who keeps his word creates a world where people can relax and build. When everyone knows what to expect from him, they stop bracing for disappointment and start making plans that stick.