When my daughter was posted as Director, Tea Board, in Dubai, we had the opportunity to spend some quality time with her. She drove us across various sheikhdoms of the UAE in her Mazda. On one such occasion, while heading towards a mall outside Dubai city, she stopped at a traffic signal. There was hardly any traffic on the road. She had positioned the car in the central lane as she intended to go straight.
Suddenly, I noticed that the mall was located to the right. Since right turns are free in the UAE and there was no vehicle in sight, I asked her to take the right turn. She refused and simply said, “No Papa, I am committed.”
Once she had decided to go straight, she stayed with that decision—even when no one was watching.
This simple incident captures the true essence of commitment.
What Does Commitment Really Mean?
We often claim that we are committed—to doing what is right, to completing projects on time, or to serving the public. Many civil servants even proclaim commitment to higher ideals such as liberalism, secularism, justice, and human rights.
Les Brown aptly says:
“You either commit to mediocrity or commit to greatness.”
In reality, however, most of us unknowingly commit to mediocrity.
Almost every young entrant into the civil services begins with a genuine commitment to public service. But after a decade, many are primarily concerned with pay, perks, and postings. Commitment to higher values gradually erodes.
Crisis of Commitment in Civil Services
Barring a few exceptions, deep commitment is largely missing in civil services. The institutional culture often rewards obedience rather than conviction. Many officers end up doing what they are told, rather than what they believe is right.
Political Commitment vs Ethical Commitment
What is often described as being “politically committed” is, in many cases, fake commitment—a form of opportunism or self-serving subservience. Over time, such behaviour becomes habitual.
There exists a category of former civil servants who benefited immensely under a particular political regime and now vehemently criticise every action of a new government in the name of liberalism, secularism, or human rights—values they conveniently ignored earlier.
Another category includes the so-called “rice soldiers”—officers who effortlessly shift their loyalty from one political camp to another. There are well-known examples of bureaucrats serving multiple chief ministers from different parties with equal enthusiasm, each leader being equally pleased.
Fear and Fragility of Commitment
For some, commitment is a joke—something that changes with convenience. They shift loyalties easily: from one belief to another, one philosophy to the next, one relationship to another.
Others avoid commitment altogether because it comes at a price. They fear uncertainty. They hesitate to take the plunge because they do not know what lies ahead. Like someone standing on a diving board, they are afraid to jump.
Commitment as a Mindset: The Exceptions
Despite all this, there are exceptions. For such civil servants, commitment is a mindset, not a slogan.
Passion vs Commitment
There is a subtle but important difference between passion and commitment.
- Passion is what you feel excited about.
- Commitment is staying dedicated long after the excitement fades.
As Jeremy Aldana puts it:
“There is a fine line between insanity and dedication—I call that line commitment.”
Commitment has no grey area. A 99% commitment leaves room for failure. Only 100% commitment sustains conviction over time.
Is Commitment Necessary for Leadership?
Some philosophies suggest that one should flow with life rather than bind oneself with commitments. However, leadership theories—especially ontological leadership—argue otherwise.
According to this view, you cannot be a leader unless you are committed to something larger than yourself.
Commitment is also a powerful behavioural tool. Psychological research shows that once people commit to a behaviour, they feel internal and social pressure to act consistently with that commitment.
This is why New Year resolutions work for some—because consistency is easier than repeated decision-making. Predictable, consistent individuals are also more trusted in society.
Types of Commitment in Life and Public Service
1. Commitment as an Adventure:
This is commitment driven by excitement and aspiration.
Example: As a child, Prasanth Nair observed government officials and was inspired by an IAS officer. He committed himself to becoming one—an internal commitment that shaped his future.
2. Commitment for a Season
This involves dedication for a defined period.
Example: As District Collector of Kozhikode, Prasanth Nair committed himself to Compassionate Kozhikode. For two years, he worked relentlessly. When his tenure ended, that season of commitment concluded.
3. Commitment for Keeps (Lifelong Commitment)
This is the highest form of commitment—permanent and identity-defining.
Prasanth Nair’s lifelong commitment is to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, whom he considers the “most powerful instrument of administration.” Above all, his enduring commitment is to compassion.
Why Commitment Matters in Ethics of Public Service?
Commitment offers several ethical advantages:
-
It helps you see something larger than yourself
-
It reinforces a sense of purpose
-
It promotes conscious, value-based action
-
It connects you to a larger community
Society does not merely need talented administrators; it needs convicted difference-makers—people with focus, courage, and moral clarity.
Conclusion: A Personal Reflection
I conclude with a personal note. I have been writing a monograph on the Ethics of Public Service for the past two years. The ideas have consumed me, yet progress has been slow.
Having realised the importance of 100% commitment, I have now decided to complete it within a month.
Whether I succeed remains to be seen.
- Prabhat Kumar