Consistency
I once overheard one executive comment to another, "I noticed that you park in the spot every day. You are usually the first one here, but you always park at the far end of the first row. I like variety and always look for the best spot."
The other executive replied, "When people arrive at work they see my car in the same place every day. They look for it, they know that I am here and waiting for them even before they walk through the door. They know that they can count on me to be consistent, even in the little things."
While variety is the spice of life, make sure that the people around you know that they can count on you, and that they know what to expect. If you are consistent with your actions and decisions, and you communicate your reasons, then the people around you will be able to anticipate action or response. Imagine how powerful the organization would be if all of the people within it could anticipate leadership response with great accuracy, and had both the authority and responsibility to act on it with consistency. Decisions and responses could be made in a split second, eliminating the need for escalations, presentations, internal proposals or delays.
Communicate your purpose and reasons with consistent actions. Expect the same from the people around you, and watch the group transform into a cohesive operational team.
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Words of Wisdom
"Upward communication only takes place when leaders are trusting and
trustworthy."
- Douglas G Myers, Executive Director, San Diego Zoo
"The first time you say something it's heard. The second time,
it's recognized, and the the third time, it's learned."
- William H Rastetter, Chairman, Biogen IDEC
"Inconsistency leads to incontinence."
- John Mehrmann, Executive Blueprints Inc
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About the Author:
John Mehrmann is a freelance writer and President of
Executive Blueprints Inc., an organization devoted to improving
business practices and developing human capital.
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