ABSTRACT
Commitment is defined as a pledge or undertaking, an obligation that restricts freedom of action, whereas compliance is defined as the act of complying with a wish or command, excessive acquiescence. The leaders use of the terms in a way which suggests commitment is freely given and compliance is a forced action does not accurately reflect cognitive dissonance theory since commitment can restrict freedom to act and compliance can be freely given. A common stumbling block to gaining commitment compliance from leaders was the issue of what they understood ‘engagement’ to mean. Gaining leaders’ commitment compliance does not guarantee that they will actually follow through on their commitments.
