by Christina Hicks
Times of uncertainty and struggle can make it challenging for even the best of us to be dependable. With a focused effort and a mindset shift, we can all learn to become more dependable, even when things around us might not be going so well.
Dependable people step forward and focus on the positives in every situation. Dependable people understand that fulfilling commitments, even in the face of difficulty, is something that takes constant and consistent work.
The more you focus on the challenge, fear, or situation that is causing difficulty, you lose the ability to maintain the positive aspects around you, and the worse the problem can seem.
When you focus on the positives in a difficult situation and challenge your negative perspective, you can overcome the difficulties and ultimately become more dependable.
Like developing other character qualities, you must be intentional. Stick with it, understand, and be aware of what you are doing, all while observing your results and making adjustments where and when necessary. When challenging times disrupt your ability to be dependable, take a step back, and assess what you do have control over and move forward in a new direction.
Additionally, leaders must understand that during times of challenge dependable employees might have to get creative in how they accomplish their tasks. For example, employees responsible for caretaking might have to adjust their working hours to accommodate family obligations.
Dependability means encouraging flexibility and creativity. Coach your employees to understand their goals and be creative during these times. Coach them through their mistakes and help them to pivot as needed. Business is not “as usual” during times of change and crisis, and teams and leaders need to band together to figure out the future.
Dependable leaders and teams are forged in crisis. Work together to make each other more dependable by practicing the following:
Open communication. Be abundantly clear on expectations, deadlines, potential challenges, and obstacles that could cause delay or resistance.
Honesty. Be open and honest about needs, desires, and your ability to take on or handle a new challenge.
Flexibility. When challenges arise, work hard to maintain flexibility in getting the job done.