Answer: Consider applying Dave Logan’s pledge-retraction strategy, as spelled out in this article:
How to break your word, honorably
In a nutshell here’s what Logan suggests for undoing a promise, pledge or agreement:
- State why the promise no longer makes sense now.
- Formally revoke the promise.
- Make a new promise that still retains the core values of the original.
- Accept responsibility for any unpleasant fallout arising from your retraction of your original promise.
In the article, Logan gives an excellent example of how to word this promise-retraction strategy in action. Here’s my understanding of the essential structure:
I promised not to [XXXXXXXXX] under any circumstances. I did so because I believed then, and do now, that [state belief].
Because of [state change in circumstances], I now believe that [XXXX] is in conflict with my [state original pledge]. While I still believe [XXXX] is a bad idea, I need to be able to [XXXX] without the limitations imposed on me by the [promise I’ve made]. In the end, the best decision may be to not [XXXX], but I cannot in good faith [carry out my duties] with the [promise to XXXX] constraining my actions. Therefore, I am revoking the pledge I made to [XXXX]. While I am no longer bound by the pledge, I remain committed to doing my best for [you, the company, etc.]. I now make a much more important pledge: to make the best possible decisions for [ you, the people I serve, and for the future generations of our country,company, etc.] no matter the political cost to me.
Please read the article for all the details.
