“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.” ― John C. Maxwell
Leadership is not just about setting goals and achieving results. It’s about influencing, guiding, and inspiring people to reach the best versions of themselves. In the fast-paced and ever changing world we are leading in today, it can be tempting for leaders to charge ahead, leaving team members struggling to keep up. If you want to be an effective leader, it’s essential to maintain consistency in your words and actions. When people know what to expect from you, they will be more likely to trust and follow you. On the other hand, if you are constantly changing your mind or behaving unpredictably, it will be difficult for your team to trust you and work effectively with you.
I have been running as part of my exercise routine for 15+ years. It releases stress endorphins and other “feel-good” chemicals that create a calming sensation that only those that are familiar with it know! “Runners High” is legit a real thing. Me and my wife run the Crim 10 mile race in Flint every August. And each year, my goal is to beat my time from the year prior. We started our annual training about a month ago where we bump up our distance to 5 & 7 miles leading up to the race, to make sure we are at our best. I’ve learned that as I push myself harder, I fatigue myself quicker. As part of my personal core value of continuous growth, I began studying my heart rate to see where I maintain the best pulse, without fatiguing myself too early. I’ve noticed that if I get even 4-5 BPM’s above my consistent rate, it puts me out of breath quickly. And tires me out faster! Variables like humidity, higher temps, hills, etc., spike my rate higher, quicker. Leading to a quicker fatigue that after 4-5 miles, it’s much harder to recover from. When I keep myself in that consistent heart rate, and pace myself against the elements, it’s easier to control my pace without fatiguing as quickly! Do you see where I’m going here?
Consistency is the cornerstone of effective leadership. When leaders consistently communicate their vision, expectations, and values, it provides a stable foundation for the team. It fosters trust, accountability, and a sense of security, allowing team members to perform at their best. Consistency in decision-making and actions also promotes a culture of fairness, as our team can predict our responses and anticipate their next steps. They know what they can expect from us.
Erratic leadership can cause insecurity within an organization. People are left wondering “what could happen next”. Implementing things might not stay for too long before they change again. Effective leaders communicate openly to their people the big picture of where they want to take the organization and ensure that they consistently do the steps necessary to achieve the goals to get to their vision. When there are clear expectations of what needs to be done, it creates stability and security!
The Dangers of Going Too Fast: While being a high-achieving leader is commendable, don’t get me wrong, pushing too hard and too fast can be counterproductive. When leaders outrun their team, it creates a divide between the leader’s expectations and the team’s capabilities. This can lead to increased stress, burnout, and demoralization among team members. It may also result in a lack of clarity and misalignment, as team members struggle to understand the leader’s intentions and keep up with the rapid pace! Be sure you have KPIs in place with simple accountabilities that share metrics to keep a pulse on how your Team is producing. The “pulse” meter on my watch has become one of my favorite features during my training!
Building a Consistent Leadership Style: To avoid leaving your team behind, it’s essential to develop a leadership style that balances ambition with consideration for your team’s capacity. Start by setting realistic goals and timelines that align with your team’s capabilities. Involve your team in goal-setting and decision-making processes to ensure their buy-in and understanding. Regularly communicate your expectations, providing clear guidance and feedback along the way. I’ve learned that things are much more calm when I meet my team where they are at in their journey. If somebody wants more, and wants to be pushed harder, that is how I will consistently lead them. It’s a work in progress for me to not push too hard, too fast. The goal here is small, incremental forward progression everyday.
Empowering and Developing Your Team: Consistency in leadership also means empowering and developing your team to grow right alongside you. Invest time in coaching and mentoring your team members, providing them with the necessary resources and support to grow in their leadership. Acknowledge their achievements, celebrate all of the milestones, and encourage a growth mindset within the team. By cultivating a learning environment, you enable your team to keep up with your pace while building their confidence and skills along the way. It’s truly a win-win outcome!
The Power of Consistent Progress: Instead of pushing for radical changes overnight, focus on incremental progress. Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks that allow your team to make consistent headway. Celebrate each milestone reached, reinforcing the sense of achievement and motivating your team to keep going. This approach not only maintains a sustainable pace but also instills a sense of accomplishment and momentum within the team.
I’ll land the plane with this — As leaders, our attitudes should be the same whether we are 10-0 or 0-10. Our teams should know what to expect from us whether we are ahead, or falling behind. Consistency in leadership is an art that requires a delicate balance between driving progress and ensuring your team can keep up. By adopting a consistent leadership style, setting realistic goals, empowering your team, holding them accountable to the desired results, and valuing incremental progress, you can lead your people effectively without leaving anyone behind. Remember, true leadership is about inspiring and guiding your team to achieve great things together, nurturing their growth, and creating a fun and rewarding work environment where everyone can thrive! Consistency is one of the key ingredients that can help one achieve success. It’s even more necessary when you are in a leadership position. Your success is not the only one that is at stake. The success of those you lead is at stake too!