Over the years I have had many people ask me for tips on how
to be successful and how to be a great leader. I am always humbled by these
types of requests since I have always felt that my accomplishments are not as
much about me, but about the team that I have around me. I have been blessed
with the opportunity to work for great mentors and had the support of some
amazing team members. However, I can say that there has always been one common
thread to the way I was taught and the approach I have always implemented. If I
had to condense it all down to one word, it would be easy, SINCERITY!
Maybe it was the way I was brought up by my parents, but I
have always believed that actions speak louder than words. I have never been
one to brag about my accomplishments, nor to spew out a bunch of ideas without
some serious preparation and thought. I can remember from a very young age
always being told, “Do what you say you are going to do!” So before I make a
promise or a statement of what I will do, I make sure that I understand the
situation and that I can deliver on any promises I make.
Do what you say you will do! In today’s world of over
promising and under delivering, these words have never rung more true. People’s
appetites are much larger than their stomachs and they tend to take on more
than they can handle. This puts them in a position of not being able to deliver
on their promises. Maybe, it is because of how tight the economy has been and
no one wants to lose any business, maybe it’s easier to make promises just to
get a signature on the dotted line. Regardless, when you tell someone that you
will do something, they are depending on you to come through. In fact, they
have more than likely made successive plans based on your promise. This
translates to your internal team too. If you tell one of your team members that
you will do something, they need to know that you will get it done. Otherwise not only have you put doubt in their
minds, you have compromised your integrity.
I am a firm believer in building long-term, meaningful
relationships with my customers and my team members. However, if they cannot
count on me to do what I say, then their trust in me will be broken. The fact
is that you cannot build a relationship without trust. Not personal, not with
your team, and definitely not in the business world.
It never ceases to amaze me how many times I see hypocritical
behavior in people. A parent will tell a child that it isn’t okay to lie, but
then in front of the child will be dishonest during a negotiation. What do you
think the child will learn from that? More than likely they will learn that
their parents are inconsistent and they will lose trust in the strength of
their teachings.
I also have had people
talk my ear off about how honest they are, but then they will cheat when we are
playing golf. If you will cheat during a friendly game of golf with your
friends, colleagues, or business partners, what will you do when money is
involved? Don’t kid yourself. You are always being judged by others based on
your actions and eventually your true character will shine through.
Anyone can say the right thing. However, you are judged by
what you do, not what you say you will do. You need to make it a point to be
honest and sincere with your team and your customers. But it doesn’t stop
there. You need to be sincere with everyone you come into contact with. You
never know whom you are talking to or where you next big opportunity may come
from, so acting professional is important, but being sincere is the key. If you
are sincere and put yourself in other people’s shoes and stop the judging, you
will be opened up to a whole new world of kindness. Your relationships will
become much deeper and your life will become much richer. I make it a point to
try and help anyone I can with all the knowledge and experience I have at my
disposal. I always make it a point to try and pay it forward. For if someone
wasn’t willing to do that for me, I would never have achieved what I have in my
life.
So the point I want to make in this article is, stop
pretending and acting the way you think people want you to act. Be open, honest,
and sincere, and you will gain more valuable relationships as you continue
through your life’s path. And if you are really lucky you may change someone
else’s life for the better. All by doing what you say you will do!