The Space Between Intention and Achievement

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“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.” - Henry Ford

Many years ago I told someone that my wife at the time and I were planning on adopting a child at some point in the future. To my dismay, the response was “congratulations!” As if I had already adopted a child. The person went on to say what good people we were. Receiving such praise did not feel gratifying. It felt misplaced. Almost like a “stolen valor” situation. After that I kept to myself our plans to adopt, and as it turned out the only child I ever adopted was my beloved step-daughter.

The other day I wrote a blog post that I’d hesitated about quite a bit. It was regarding the DBA program at Edgewood University. On the one hand, I was excited to share a program that I’d found to be so affordable and complete, and from a good (albeit small) university. On the other, I dreaded the possibility of giving the appearance of one trying to take credit for what he has not yet done.

There is an emotional tension between intention and accomplishment. Just the act of announcing plans can feel productive. There is a subtle psychological reward in being seen as "someone who is going to do something impressive." You see it from time to time on LinkedIn, where social recognition precedes actual effort. We share ambitions publicly, such as that we will pursue a certain degree, and people often respond with affirmation. That innocent affirmation can create a premature sense of progress. In the case of my thoughts on adoption, the congratulations created discomfort because praise had outrun reality. The identify of "adoptive father" was momentarily assigned before the sacrifice, paperwork, emotional labor, and commitment had taken place. As I've indicated, the same dynamic can occur professionally or academically, particularly when discussing advanced degrees, entrepreneurial plans, or strategic ambitions.

We need to maintain a clear distinction between reputation and aspiration in professional life. The quote above which is attributed to Henry Ford says it, and gave me pause when I wrote about that DBA program. In truth, I haven't settled on what I want to my academic future. A reputation should rest on demonstrated competence and completed work. Writing about an academic program I've not yet begun risks blurring that line.

In the modern environment, particularly on social media like LinkedIn, there is a tendency towards signaling. LinkedIn announcements of plans, public declarations of certifications not yet earned, and bios that say something like "Future MBA" or "Incoming Doctoral Candidate" cross the line. Signaling can subtly substitute for substance. The more one talks about becoming something, the easier it is to feel as though one already is that thing. Personally, in my communication about my career and education, I do not want to be viewed as posturing. I want any future academic credential to speak for itself, quietly and credibly. That's why, to my knowledge, I never announced either of the Master's degrees which I completed until they were done. Yet, there is also a legitimate reason to talk about plans. This isn't all negative.

Sharing aspirations, especially with a small circle of friends and/or family, can create accountability. Discussion options can help others who are exploring similar paths. Transparency about goals is not inherently vanity. The problem is not planning. The problem is confusing motion with accomplishment, something I touched on in a recent post about shipping vs. advancing. Researching programs is not the same as earning a degree, and considering adoption is not the same as raising a child. Some personal discipline is required. Let plans remain plans until they become commitments. Let commitments mature into results. Allow reputation to trail reality, not run ahead of it. With each success, we earn the right to speak about certain things.

If there is wisdom in Ford’s warning, it is this: reputation is a lagging indicator. It follows the work; it does not precede it. The world will offer applause for intention if we let it, but applause is cheap compared to execution. Degrees are earned in quiet hours of study. Children are raised in unseen sacrifices. Businesses are built in the discipline of daily decisions. If I am to build any lasting credibility—whether in my career, my education, or my personal life—it will not be on what I plan, hope, or announce, but on what I complete. Better, then, to do the work first and let the evidence speak after.

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