Consistency is often the difference between being average and great. Being consistent is a critical element for all areas of life but especially leadership. As consumers, we usually want to select restaurants, hotels and products because they have the same high quality and service each time. In fact, the consistent delivery of quality at a great price will win every time.
“We just need to develop some type of consistency.”
I would argue that organizations want and need different types of leaders to remain competitive. However, no matter what leadership style is required – consistency is still needed. Consistent performance is the foundation of any great leader. Watching golf pro Tiger Woods struggle lately for consistency helps us to undertand that keeping it is more difficult than one might think.
Consistency in leadership begins with defining your own core values and using them to make ongoing decisions. Great leaders never depend 100% on the polls to make decisions, they make them using their personal values and organizational expectations. Do you have a personal mission statement? These guidelines define a leader’s vision, relationships, and integrity.
In what ways do you demonstrate consistent behavior? Even little changes can have huge returns.
Example – Success Story: Consistency spells Towne Crier’s 43-year success
source: http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/mar/24/success-story-consistency-spells-towne-criers-43-y/
While many Abilene Texas restaurants have come and gone in the last 43 years, Towne Crier Steak House continues to attract customers old and new.
“My philosophy and the staff’s philosophy is that consistency is the key. If you are consistent and your customers know what to expect, it makes it much easier to maintain success,” said owner Dwight Aston.
Through five decades, Towne Crier has weathered challenges that can capsize any business: transition to new ownership, increased competition, a devastating fire and economic cycles. Staying focused on what they do best seems to be the restaurant’s key to longevity.
When leaders show consistency…they gain:
- Trust from the overall organization
- Reputation for quality
- A standard for success
- Relevant for their current challenges
- Leverage for future opportunities
When a leader doesn’t have consistency-
- Distrust
- Lack of respect
- Moral buster
- Confusion
“Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you say you will do!”
Does this help?
Gary Ray's Blog 