It's a very similar psychological trick. I've even heard project managers I like and who I think are generally very good do it. I think it's just part of their language now, and some may not realize they're doing anything kinda shitty. But it's something straight out of Cialdini's Persuasion, and unsubtle enough that even I can tell what it is.
"Do you feel comfortable committing to these stories?" Always a question.
Committing. If you don't make it for any reason not obviously caused by "outside blockers" you're morally responsible—and maybe even then. What are you, some kind of liar? Quite a step from an estimate. Kind of harsher than a deadline, even, which are oh-so-rarely as "deadly" as the name implies. But people close enough to Scrumish processes to get in the meetings but far enough away not to be writing code or testing things or putting out designs sure seem to like that word. Commit.
"Do you feel comfortable committing to these stories?" Always a question.
Committing. If you don't make it for any reason not obviously caused by "outside blockers" you're morally responsible—and maybe even then. What are you, some kind of liar? Quite a step from an estimate. Kind of harsher than a deadline, even, which are oh-so-rarely as "deadly" as the name implies. But people close enough to Scrumish processes to get in the meetings but far enough away not to be writing code or testing things or putting out designs sure seem to like that word. Commit.