Trust? Be Consistent

"Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you say."

That line was spoken by an associate to a speaker at a recent business business event we attended. The interaction between the speaker and the audience was totally out of sync with what he was professing. The result: Great words, no credibility. A few attendees even referred to him later as a "liar."

Not good for his business.

Consistency

We communicate through our actions, not just our words. Which policies you decide to enforce or ignore, what you say and don't say, what you reward and what you punish, what you fund and what you don't fund--all tell the truth of your heart. Every instance of consistency builds credibility; a single instance of inconsistency can begin to build doubt about your trustworthiness. 

It's a lot more difficult to regain trust than it is to build it. 

Where will you show consistency today?

Comments

[Brandon Jones]

Steve,
Consistency is extremely important as a leader. Leaders that aren't consistent lose the trust of their employees very quickly. I have seen it happen many times and I have experienced it as a follower as well. Thanks, Brandon

[Steve Roesler]

Brandon

Let's make this the week we start modeling consistency. There's nothing so powerful as a consistent example.

[Kyu]

Hi Steve,

What a timely post- surely hit me hard. Ouch!

For many days now, I have reflected on my performance as an employee and my importance to the company. One aspect I really need to work on is consistency. Yes, there are moments when my boss praises me for some good thing I have done...and then there are times that I also perform poorly.

I certainly needed to hear this : "Consistency is better than rare moments of greatness"

Thank you for the post.

[Steve Roesler]

Hello, Kyu

One of the attributes of high performers is that they are consistently assessing their own performance. Keep up the consistent self-assessment!