Consistency

 A few more things on consistency following up on last week…

• Great outcomes aren’t built on great days, but on consistent ones. 

• Consistency compounds. Occasional brilliance fades.

• Throw a whole bucket of water on a rock and nothing happens. Let water drip consistently onto a rock and it creates a hole. Consistency beats intensity! 

Once again, Strive to be consistent…

Barbara Bush 1925 – 2018

Our country, and the city of Houston, lost an incredible woman this week.  Barbara Bush leaves an inspirational legacy.  People from all walks of life have spoken kind words and remembrances of her. Yes, she was the wife and mother of former Presidents, but you do not need to have been the First Lady to have positive words spoken of you.  You simply need to treat others with kindness, dignity and respect.  That is the theme of what is being said about Barbara Bush this week.  From small Houston business owners, former Secret Service agents, and all in between, the theme is consistent.  She treated people with kindness. 

We are, and will be, known most prominently for how we treat others.  That alone can bring praise from the people we encounter, both while we live and after we are gone.  Barbara Bush actually said it best herself…

“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success is how you treat other people.”

-       Barbara Bush

In honor of Barbara Bush go out and be kind this week.  In honor of yourself and others continue doing so in the coming weeks as well.

Leadership

One of the most critical attributes of a great leader is consistency.  If you know me well you know how I feel about consistency; this is not the first MMM devoted to the topic.  Steady and consistent leadership develops loyal followers.  It maintains calm, and stabilizes expectations.  Consistency means that when the question is the same, the answer is the same, no matter if the names and places change.  The answer is the same no matter the emotional, financial or legal implications.  Dependable answers and consistent responses create a stable environment where expectations are clear.  This does not mean that different times may not require different responses.  It does not mean that business circumstances can’t dictate changes in policy.  It does mean however, that people know what to expect from their leader.  John Maxwell says “If people do not know what to expect from a leader, they will come to expect nothing.”  As leaders we should want people to know what to expect from us.  Great leaders have sound values and convictions.  Those things do not change and therefore they are consistent in their leadership.  A great leader is the rock of consistency for their team, followers, business or family.