It’s the Little Things That Lay Unshakable Foundations

Small actions done consistently make the biggest difference. If my garden flourishes, it’s because I have tended it carefully over time, not because I dropped seeds in the ground yesterday. 

It is the same in business. The little things we do consistently—no matter what our role—result in a higher level of trust. This trust leads to greater results when our actions, both big and small, are clear, supportive, honest, and able to bring people together.

But consistency can be a double-edged sword.

If our consistent actions work against our goals, they negatively impact progress—and culture. For example, if I’m always late, my people will trust me to be…late. Over time, this lack of commitment becomes a part of the culture.

Your Reputation Is Constructed of Habits

It is unlikely that one highly visible action will be what distinguishes you as trustworthy. The only way to build a reputation as a leader is through consistency—thousands of small opportunities to show, over time, that you can be depended on.

Aristotle said that virtue is formed by actions. The writer Will Durant expounded on this, stating, “We are what we repeatedly do; therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit.”

Habits are those little actions we take over and over again—so often, in fact, that they impose themselves on our daily routines. Opening doors for others and unloading the dishwasher are habits just as much as biting fingernails or prioritizing screen time over personal interaction. 

Habits are the engine of consistency.

A reputation of any flavor, excellence or otherwise, is constructed of habits. But it’s not always easy to do something consistently, day in and day out—especially when introducing a new habit.

Because old habits are ingrained in our routine, habit change must begin conscientiously and specifically. Try our Trust Edge Habit Change Process for putting yourself on the path to enacting such change. We’ve outlined the process below with some examples:

1. What habit do I want to change? It can be small, such as being less absorbed in your tasks (and more open with your body language).
2. How will I benefit from changing? If you’re less absorbed in your tasks, you create more opportunities to connect with others.
3. What pain will I face from not changing? When you’re always absorbed in your tasks, it’s hard to connect with others, and your team may feel distanced from you; morale could suffer.
4. What am I replacing this habit with? Think of what you can do differently: “I will make eye contact with (and smile at) everyone I see.”
5. What resources do I need? Perhaps you need reminders to get started—maybe on your phone or next to your office door.
6. Who could help me change this habit? Tell a family member or a trusted colleague what you’re up to and ask them to check in with you on a regular basis.
7. What distractions do I need to remove? How? How? How? Think through the specifics of what is currently behind the old habit. Maybe you’ve taken on too many tasks that are better allocated or you need better time management skills. Maybe both?
8. What specific steps will I take? How? How? How? Define what actions you need to take: “I’ll stop trying to do three things at once! I’ll plan blocks of time to focus on specific tasks. I’ll also set clearer boundaries and give myself at least ten minutes between agenda items.”
9. How can I reward target behavior? How? How? How? It feels good to connect with people, and smiles tend to be reciprocal. With greater connection comes more chances for collaboration. Who knows? Maybe you can establish a place in the office where people can be more social!
10. How can I keep it top of mind? How? How? How? How about reading some of those books you’ve been wanting to read about building cultures of connection?
11. In 90 days, what will my new habit be? In addition to making eye contact and smiling at your team, you’ll be better able to inquire about their lives. The result: you’ll be more familiar with your team! 

As we form new habits, we slip up from time to time. If you’re trying hard to be on time and have consistently been able to do so, don’t sweat it if you run late to one meeting because of an unexpected traffic jam.

Consistency is all about the small stuff, so start small and spend just a little time on it each day. The time it takes to establish a habit can really vary—be patient with yourself and celebrate the small wins. Persistence and practice are the keys to success.

Scaffolding for New Habits

MIT researchers discovered a pattern in our brains behind every habit. The first step in that pattern is called a “cue.” Cues are triggers that prompt the habit behavior to unfold. For example, leaving a room prompts you to turn off the lights. 

When you think about the resources you need to change a habit (#5), imagine what cues you might need to nudge you toward the habit. 

Imagine you are trying to form a habit of personally recognizing your team members for their contributions. You might create a calendar notification prompting you to set aside ten minutes each day to first reflect on one team member who has contributed in a positive way—big or small—and then to reach out to them, either in person or online, just to tell them how much you appreciated what they did and acknowledge their contribution.

The hard work of establishing habits that support your values begins with a single act. Start small, repeat, and see how quickly the benefits stack up.
Leaders who act and respond consistently see results build up over time. Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you access to the tools, training, and a thriving community to help you create the habits you need to reach your goals. If you’re ready to distinguish yourself as dependable, schedule a 15-minute discovery call now and become a member of our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.