"Consistency is one of the
biggest factors in leading to accomplishment and success."— Byron Pulsifer
Today, I
have a simple quiz for you and it is this: what is the common fibre to the most
successful companies in all sectors?
To help you
out, this quality is not limited to the corporate world. It also establishes confidence
in any relationship…brings about balance and security from dangerous extremes...replaces
disorder and confusion with predictability and stability.
I hope by
now you can make the right guess. Yes, the answer is consistency.
The
importance of consistency cannot be overemphasized because it is the
cornerstone of dependable reliability. Consistency says ‘you can always count
on me, both in the sun and in the rain.’ Consistency means steadfastness at all
times: yesterday, today and tomorrow; it is immune from impulsive changes and
irrational swings; it keeps its promises, always.
Undoubtedly,
solid character is what enables true consistency. And those who positively
embody this invaluable trait are among the best of mankind. They are reliable,
faithful and dependable. You can trust them with any responsibility.
Unremitting consistency is about a deliberate lifestyle of commitment, patience
and perseverance. It shows up
in the lives of selfless leaders who remain firm on the cause of justice for
their fellow men against the devious forces of despotic rulers. It reveals
itself in the verve of great artists who keep showing up for work, day after
day, even with no direct compensation for the output of their toil.
We see it in
the life of a disciplined student who goes to the library, every evening after
class, when their mates would choose to goof around with their precious time.
It is the ‘it’ factor that compels an extra-ordinary employee to always show up
early—even without the presence of the boss—and put in the work all day, instead
of watching the clock.
On this powerful
quality of strong character, Daniel Transon writes in his book, ‘The Leadership
Challenge’ that: “Consistency is a key element, without which a leader is
incapable of getting respect, success or even developing confidence in others.”
Consistency
is an indispensable component of maturity. It is what makes the most successful
people, companies, and nations different from all others. It is the one, single
quality that enables them to show up and do their best, day after day, week
after week, month after month and year after year, in spite of the changing
seasons, political upheavals, and unforeseen socioeconomic activities.
Consistency is
the dominant virtue of all reliable leaders, at home, at work, in the school
and the world. It is the quality that we not only need to learn but master more
than any other trait.
It is a
jewel that deserves your special attention from here onward. Never forget that
consistency creates habits, and good habits are the precursor of real success.
In a
nutshell, consistency is… everything.
