Leading Out Loud: A Guide for Engaging Others in Creating the Future, 3rd Edition

Involving Others—Asking for Commitment

• What specific actions am I going to ask of others to give them a way to engage immediately?

Andy Mecca’s stepping out to take the baton was itself an invitation—no one wanted to miss their turn at the heroic, and we had already invested greatly—physically, financially, and with our time. We were near the end of the journey. At the beginning of an effort it is different—there is still time to doubt, to waffle, to listen, and admire without engaging. For the leader, this is yet another acid test, the step in message development that is most often skipped, even by the most convincing and passionate leaders. Somehow, many don’t believe that it is their right to ask others to act, even on issues that define ...