As a leader, you need to present a clear, concise message. Be consistent. All people thrive on consistency. Inconsistency in leadership behaviors by a parent, coach, or executive causes confusion, frustration, and anger. Imagine how a child feels when one day Mom said she could stay home from school, and the next day Mom said she had to go to school. The child would awaken each morning wondering what the plan would be.
Inconsistency by a parent, coach, or executive causes confusion, frustration, and anger.
Imagine what Coach Herm Edwards would have done if my snaps were inconsistent from game to game. In his leadership capacity, Coach Edwards was consistent, and his team appreciated that leadership trait. At the time, he had been charged with the task of leading the Kansas City Chiefs… leading leaders and leading egos.
Consistency has applications at different levels. For example, think about the behavior of someone whom you’d consider to be bad, and also a person you think of as good. Your perception of their behavior is based on long term observation. You have seen consistency in a behavioral pattern. Thus, at the personal level, leaders are consistently good in what they do, how they act, and what they communicate.
Leaders are consistently good in what they do, how they act, and what they communicate.
Leaders are consistent in behavior over time. Anyone can shine in their moment of glory, but are they consistent over longer periods? True leaders are consistent in all areas of their lives.