Are you reliable?

Reliability is a foundational quality that sets the best team players apart. 🤝

Andre Durand said, “If you look at the essence of trust, it’s a one-to-one ratio between say and do.”

Individuals who clearly express this issue demonstrate to the company that following through is essential. 🔄

Some people, if they say they are going to do something, are like “money in the bank.” We don’t have to think about that anymore.

With other people, we know we have to keep their to-do lists on our to-do list. If this is how most people in an organization operate, the business will be slower.

Reliability also goes to the heart of what it means to be a team player. It removes the hierarchy and acknowledges that everyone relies on one another to achieve a goal.

Paula Long captures the spirit of this idea. “I like to say that we’re all subcontractors to one another. It’s about accountability and respecting each other’s time.”

I would build on that and add three ideas:

✅ Treating each colleague as an “internal customer” and thinking as if they will have to answer the question “How likely are you to recommend me to others?”

✅ Over-communicating and following up proactively, especially when we are struggling and in danger of not meeting a goal. It helps to build trust and transparency.

✅ Whenever possible, overdeliver, even a tiny detail like extra thorough documentation or a 1:1 short call to anticipate the results. And in doubt, underpromise (but not too much)

What is reliability for you?