Last time we saw the importance of developing a reputation for faithfulness. Today I would like to give a few tips for developing this trait.
Step 1 toward faithfulness - Always do everything you are supposed to do
If I were to ask you whether you do everything you are supposed to do at work would you automatically say yes? Many folks would but don’t be too quick to answer. Stop first and think. Do you really do EVERYTHING you are supposed to do? Most people do the important stuff. You know, the stuff that everyone sees. The stuff that your boss is looking for. But what about the little things? What about the tiny tasks that you really should do but no one will notice if you don’t get to them? If you want a reputation for being faithful then you need to make sure that stuff is covered too.
For example, my company asks that every employee fill out a weekly timesheet to indicate how many hours per week they spend on each of their projects. Most people are salaried employees so the timesheet has no bearing on their paycheck. The data is only used to gather statistics about which projects take more time and which ones take less. There is also no penalty for neglecting to fill it out other than an email to your manager asking that he or she remind you to submit it. As a result, most people see the timesheet as a nuisance and most mangers do not pay any attention to it until the email reminder comes out.
I take a different view. I see this as a golden opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness to my superiors. First, I make it a point to submit my own timesheet first thing every Monday morning even though it is not due until 5:00 PM. Second, I see that all the people below me submit their timesheets first thing Monday morning as well. If anyone does not have it in by noon I send out humorous email reminders to please submit it right away.
I once sent an email to a delinquent timesheet submitter saying that on my way in to the office that morning I found her timesheet on top of the roof ready to jump off because it was feeling neglected and sad. I urged the person to submit it quickly, before it jumped off and it would be too late. It sounds kind of corny, but this type of reminder produces immediate attention without me coming across as harping on a trivial task.
Because of this policy, I have the distinction of being the only manager in the whole department whose entire team has their timesheets in on time, every time. It is a relatively small thing but it helps build my reputation for faithfulness and it helps distinguish me from my peers.
Step 2 toward faithfulness - Always doing things when they should be done
If there is one thing that kind of irks me it is missed deadlines. I don’t like to deliver my projects late and I don’t like when other people deliver things to me late. Missed deadlines cost money and they damage reputations.
You should strive to deliver every task you have early whenever possible or at very least on time. This applies equally to big, visible tasks as well as to the little ones. Most people do this some of the time. Some people do this most of the time. However, not very many people do it each and every time. You should strive to set yourself apart by being known as a member of that small, elite third group.
Step 3 towards being faithful - Always using methods that are acceptable
This one is absolutely critical. You might nail down the first two principles of doing what you should when you should but you could completely wipe out the benefits if you don’t do things the way you should.
I’m reminded of a Dilbert comic strip I once saw where Dogbert promised to reveal a guaranteed method to turn one hundred dollars into a million dollars with no risk and no work. He charged everyone a hefty admission price to attend his “get rich” seminar and then proceeded to tell the audience to simply put $100.00 into a bank account at 5% interest and wait for 150 years. He then thanked his audience for coming and left the podium…..a clear example of using unacceptable methods!
Step 4 toward being faithful - Always delivering the required level of quality
Doing what you should do, when you should do it and using the right methods is all great, however, it is important to maintain high quality standards as you do all this. As we noted before if you do the other things right but your work is sloppy all the benefits to you, to your organization and to your customers will be lost.
I once heard a story about a wealthy businessman who was good friends with a home builder. The businessman hired the builder to build a great mansion. He told the builder that he would be out of town for several months so he would not be able to supervise the construction. The businessman gave the builder a large check to cover the cost of the home before he left.
This presented a bit of a moral dilemma for the builder. Since the businessman would not be around to verify the quality of the materials and the workmanship there was an opportunity to cut corners.
The temptation proved to be too much. The builder cut costs every way he could. He watered down the cement in the foundation. He used inferior wood for the frame. He failed to excavate the site properly. He used substandard wiring and plumbing. He bought only the very cheapest materials he could find and used only one coat of paint at the end to cover up all the defects.
When the house was finished it looked pretty due to some clever cosmetic work but it was actually a disaster just waiting to happen. It was only a matter of time before the defects would begin to show up and the whole thing would turn into a giant money pit with almost no hope of ever being completely fixed.
Shortly after the businessman returned from his trip he met the builder at the new home to see how it turned out. The businessman seemed very pleased at the appearance of the home. The two men took a short tour of the inside, after which the builder handed the keys to the businessman. The businessman paused for a moment and then handed the keys back to builder. ‘You don’t understand” said the businessman. “This house is not for me. It is for you.” The businessman added “You are such a good friend and I have seen how hard you have worked all these years to build beautiful homes for your customers. I just wanted you to have an equally beautiful home for yourself. May you enjoy it for many years to come.”
As you might imagine, the builder just about wanted to hang himself. All those shortcuts he took were now going to come back to bite him in the form of devastatingly expensive repairs. He learned a very hard lesson that day about the need to always do top quality work.
Step 5 toward being faithful – Consistency
You will notice that in the prior 4 steps I say “always do this” or “always do that”. The word “always” is there for a very specific reason. You can’t earn a reputation for faithfulness by delivering the goods just one or two times. The key to earning a great reputation as a faithful person it to deliver on time, every time. Almost anyone to do a great job once in awhile. The key to being a top performer is to do a great job every time. If you make these techniques an everyday habit and I believe you will find the results to be very satisfying.
Stumble it!
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