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.

The Need for True Human Connection

By Cathie Leimbach • August 21, 2025
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in schedules, screens, and endless to-do lists. But what people really crave is something deeper—true human connection. Dr. Paul White, who studies workplace relationships, reminds us that appreciation and connection are not just “nice to have”—they are essential for our well-being. And researcher Brené Brown shows that real connection comes from vulnerability, where people feel safe, seen and valued. Without this kind of connection, many struggle with loneliness, anxiety, or even depression. On the other hand, when we feel truly connected, we’re happier, more engaged, more resilient, and more productive. So how can we build better connections? Start small. Proactively reach out for a live conversation instead of only sending a quick text or email. Take time to connect with peers at work or in your community. Ask others to share something personal about themselves, and share something personal about your life. These simple actions can create moments of trust and belonging. And in a world that can sometimes feel disconnected, these moments are not just valuable—they are vital. Join Us! We invite you to explore this topic further at our upcoming virtual event: Managing Performance in Today’s Workforce. Learn practical strategies to strengthen workplace connection and performance.  View event details here.

Why Your Company's Success Depends on This One Thing (Hint: It's Not What You Think)

By Cathie Leimbach • August 19, 2025
What separates thriving companies from struggling ones? 🤔 Professor Lynda Gratton from London Business School spent decades studying this exact question. Her findings will change how you think about leadership. Here's what she discovered:  Organizations that invest in developing collaborative leaders consistently outperform their competitors. Not by a little—by a lot. Through her groundbreaking study of 21 global companies and 200+ executives, Gratton identified the three game-changing elements: ✅ Cooperative culture - Moving from "me vs. you" to "we together" ✅ Rich networks - Breaking down silos so ideas flow freely ✅ Shared purpose - Giving work meaning beyond the paycheck The results speak for themselves: → Better innovation → Higher employee engagement → Stronger financial performance Companies that train managers to be collaborative leaders (not just bosses) create environments where teams actually want to work together. My takeaway? Leadership development isn't a "nice to have"—it's your competitive advantage. When leaders learn to cooperate and inspire others, entire organizations transform. What's your experience with collaborative leadership? Have you seen this play out in your organization? Want to dive deeper? View Three Pillars of Success which breaks down how to produce measurable results in innovation, efficiency, and engagement.