Would you believe that many employees would prefer a bad manager who’s consistent over an inconsistent manager? I’ve heard that statement a lot in my years of coaching and training in corporate America. What is interesting is this is the same psychosocial belief of women who stay with abusive men -: at least consistently bad is better than unknowing or inconsistent.
Now, I’m not saying that you should be a bad leader. That’s not the takeaway here! I am saying that you should consistently apply great leadership skills.
Why is consistency so important? Because people like predictability. They like knowing the rules of the game, especially a leader’s rules of the game.
Imagine a manager who greets everyone with a cheerful “Hello!” on Monday morning then marches in on Tuesday morning, head down, growling that she needs coffee. How should employees approach her the next day? Or the next week? Who knows?
Your consistency will improve how people interact with you on many levels. Knowing what characteristics you portray when you “show up” is important to your success!
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
