Consistency Magnifies Trust

Cathie Leimbach • September 6, 2022

“It’s the little things – done consistently – that make the biggest difference,” says David Horsager. “If I am overweight, it is because I have eaten too many calories over time, not because I ate too much yesterday. It is the same in business. The little things done consistently make for a higher level of trust and better results.”

Consistency is the critical driver for success. Being consistent means dedicating yourself to your goals and staying focused on the things and activities needed to achieve your goals. Consistency requires a long-term commitment from you and involves sustained effort in doing actions repeatedly until you achieve your goals. 

Discipline, accountability, and responsibility are all parts of staying consistent. Why is it so difficult to stay focused, to be disciplined, to hold ourselves accountable, and to exercise personal responsibility? 

One of the reasons is that the world around us and technology provide so many distractions that people don’t stay focused on their priorities. Another is that most people don’t have a focus because they haven’t been intentional about deciding what they want to do in life, what they want to accomplish. 

Let’s look at a few aspects of being consistent.

  1. Set Clear Goals – Determine the priorities in your life and define them in measurable ways. For example, if one of your priorities is to be a high performer at a job you love, you may set a goal for sales, client retention, average customer satisfaction, and/or your performance feedback rating. 
  2. Create a Plan to Achieve Your Goals – Write down all the things you need to do to achieve each goal. How much time will each take? How frequently do they have to be done? When will you do each of them. Create a schedule for each day, week, or month and enter all of the things you need to do to achieve success.
  3. Follow Your Plan – Now is the time to demonstrate consistency. Live in the present. Every day, week, and month, do the things on your schedule. Discipline yourself to follow the plan. Find an accountability partner who will check in with regularly to acknowledge your progress or get you back on track. Take responsibility when you fall behind due to your lack of follow-through.
  4. Review and Adjust – Evaluate the progress you are making towards your goal. If you haven’t been following it, what do you need to do to increase your consistency. If you are regularly implementing your plan but not making enough progress, what changes could improve your results? Revise your plan and consistently follow the new plan.  If you discover your goal is unrealistic, revise the goal and modify your plan.

When people see that you are clear on your priorities and consistently working towards achieving your goals, they will see you as trustworthy. Your track record of trust will be built over time; there is no other way to lasting success. Deliver the same quality of results every time and you will maintain trust.

People Give More When They Know Why Their Work Matters

By Cathie Leimbach • August 4, 2026
Most employees know what they are expected to do each day. Far fewer fully understand why their work matters or how it contributes to the organization's success. Yet that understanding is one of the most powerful drivers of engagement, commitment, and performance. Gallup research consistently shows that employees who feel connected to their organization's mission and purpose are significantly more engaged, while highly engaged teams achieve stronger productivity, profitability, customer satisfaction, and retention. When people understand how their individual responsibilities help customers, coworkers, and the organization succeed, their work becomes more than a list of tasks—it has meaning. Supervisors play the key role in creating that understanding. A job description explains what to do. Leadership conversations explain why it matters. They help employees see how quality, safety, customer service, teamwork, and continuous improvement all connect to the organization's goals. As work changes, priorities shift, or new challenges arise, supervisors who communicate openly help employees understand not only what is changing, but why those changes matter. Questions, discussion, and regular feedback replace assumptions with clarity and build trust. Employees who understand the purpose behind their work are more likely to make good decisions, solve problems, take initiative, and remain committed during difficult times. They also appreciate knowing that their organization is willing to invest in their future through learning and career development opportunities, even if promotion is not immediate. When supervisors consistently connect daily work to a larger purpose through meaningful conversations, employees gain direction, confidence, and motivation. They don't simply complete tasks—they understand the difference they make. And that understanding creates a workplace where engagement, performance, and retention naturally grow. Need Help with a Difficult Workplace Conversation? Great leadership doesn't happen by accident—it happens one conversation at a time. Join our FREE Workplace Conversations Clinic on the 3rd Monday of every month , from 3:00–3:30 p.m. , beginning August 17 . When you're wondering how to handle a workplace people challenge, join the Workplace Conversations Clinic to run it by Cathie Leimbach and other attendees. Join the Workplace Conversations Clinic Conversation is where leadership happens.

Leaders Who Help People Thrive

By Cathie Leimbach • July 28, 2026
From uncertainty to confident, supportive leadership conversations