Dependability

Are you dependable? If you truly possess and display this attribute, it will go a long way in your workplace. It sounds too basic, but people need to know without a doubt they can count on you every day, every time, without fail, no exceptions. It's one of the first things a business owner considers when putting together a candidate list for potential promotions.

Definition: Dependability is defined as the quality of being able to be counted on or relied upon. When you do what you say and refuse to make promises you cannot keep, this is an example of dependability.

The Six Steps

Step One: Show Up On Time

A team member who is habitually late to work hinders and stalls the collaborative and interdependent workplace environment. When someone is missing, then I promise you vital production will also be missing and will negatively impact the team.

Individuals who are ten minutes late and/or are packing up ten minutes early are literally cheating their boss and their team. Even worse, when people extend their breaks and lunch hours, they are in fact stealing from everyone. This type of behavior is unacceptable in the workplace and serves to break down a team-oriented culture.

Advice: If you need to be late, extend a break, or leave early, ask for permission from your supervisor or leader. This displays respect for your team and identifies you as a dependable team member, even though your request may not always be granted.

Step Two: Show Up To Work and Do Your Work

This is another basic and straightforward component of dependability. When you come to work, do your tasks to the best of your capabilities - not every once in a while, but every day. Engagement is not negotiable. Get engaged and stay engaged from the minute you arrive until you depart. Don't waste time on the company's nickel as they are compensating you for your best effort, and they deserve nothing less. Limit distractions such as cell phone usage and web surfing until you are on your break.

Advice: You can't hide a lazy and lackluster approach to your work. Nothing is more unappealing to an employer than someone who doesn't value their time or honor their responsibilities. Everyone in the company has a shared responsibility to do all they can to perform to the capacity of their ability! Do what's right by doing what you're paid to do without hesitation. This approach will be noticed and appreciated.

Step Three: Be Available and Willing

Are you on your boss' short list of go-to performers? Trust me, there is a list, and those are the people the leaders know they can truly count on to get things done the right way. Be available, and be the first to volunteer to take on the extra work that will help the team finish a project. Show enthusiasm for taking on difficult tasks and step up when the team needs an extra hand. Become front of mind to the leadership team by demonstrating your desire to be a total team player and contributor to the mission.

Advice: I'm not suggesting you spend all of your time doing other people's work. People who don't carry their weight are like 10,000 pound elephants impeding the progress of the entire team. The responsibility to remove elephants is strictly on the shoulders of the leadership team. What I am suggesting is that you give all you have and become a "go to" performer. Be "all in," and when it's time for someone to get the nod for an expanded role, you will see why the extra effort was worth it in a big way!

Step Four: A Part of the Solution

I firmly believe team members settle into two distinct groups:

Solution Providers - people who support the team
Problem Makers - people who disrupt the team

I don't see any gray area when it comes to how people perform. You need to look for ways to support your leaders and team members. Get involved and stay involved by offering ideas and working in a collaborative manner to benefit your team. Everyone admires and respects a great team member they can count on during the good times as well as the difficult moments.

Advice: Don't ever underestimate the value of being a great team player. Don't fall into the trap set by others who might be negative or disengaged from the mission of the organization. Straight up - if you can't openly and with genuine enthusiasm support the company, the mission, the leaders, and the team, you should resign and go find a place where you truly can.

Step Five: Deadlines and Quotas

If you are hired to cut grass, cut the grass on time and to the best of your ability. If you have a call out quota of 250 outbound calls per week, you need to meet or exceed your quota with the deadline. Don't be the "excuses excuses excuses" person who is always behind and never meets the quota. People are relying on you to do your part by meeting your deadlines and quotas. You signed up for it, so get it done. People who always blame others for their lack of productivity are counter-productive to an organization and are quickly on their way to becoming a 10,000 pound elephant.

Advice: Don't ever procrastinate or be hesitant about starting your day. Be mentally prepared to execute your tasks from the minute you arrive at work. Arrive with a plan of action and then execute, execute, execute. You will not die from the hard work you put forth. Organizations are looking for people who understand what it means to hustle and then hustle some more.

Step Six: Be Intentional

One of the greatest attributes of a dependable person is the purity of his or her intentions. Actions are not completed based on a need to be noticed. Dependable people are intentional in the way they apply themselves to their role. They keep it real every day and present themselves in an authentic manner consistently. It is not about credit or showing off; it's about showing up and kicking tail every day. If you don't make a good you, you will make a lousy someone else. Be intentional in everything you do, and you will gain the respect and admiration of your entire organization.

Advice: People can smell a phony a mile away. If you are not being intentional - in other words, if you're acting in a way that is not authentic - sooner or later you will be exposed. You don't have to (and can't!) do more than you are capable of. You need to do all you can do while being intentional in your actions and interactions. This will help you build trust. As a result, you'll find when you need someone to assist you, everyone will have their hand up to be there for you.

In Closing

It's my hope you find this article helpful and that you will go back to work completely committed to implementing the six steps above consistently. People are counting on you both at home and work. Guess what? You will find real success and rewards through your willingness to be your best self every day!

Make a difference today.

Remember, It All Matters,

— Paul

About the author: For over 30 years, Paul Cummings has taught dynamic life changing strategies on sales, customer service, communication, building a better business, and leadership. Millions have had the opportunity to learn what it means to live and work at Level 10.