What does consistency mean in the workplace?

What does consistency mean in the workplace?

by ActionCoach by Hala Dabboussy 

Coach Hala has 17 years of experience in corporate America and high-performance4 years in business and executive coaching; she specialises in creating high-performance teams.

Consistency is all about the results and deliverables. It is the McDonald’s model, we know exactly what to expect every time we order a Big Mac; whether we order it in California, Texas, or Dubai. Good or bad, like or not, it is always the same! This consistency gives us confidence. At the end of the day, it is about consistent processes, policies, procedures, and expectations from the customer side.  

Consistency is the key to success in any business. The business needs a consistent flow of customers, who need to be serviced by consistently motivated and qualified employees who are going to deliver consistent quality to the customers. 

People Are Important 

At the core of the cycle are the PEOPLE! What drives consistency in the workplace? The answer is a consistent workforce. Let us define the characteristics of a consistent workforce. 

I would like to share with you a little secret; the consistent results come from a higher level of discipline in the smaller tasks and habits we do consistently. Those positive habits we call RICHUAL… I know, I know I spell it RICH YES… because they are habits that make us rich.

Self-mastery:  

Self-mastery is key to any successful employee. It starts with the mindset and the willingness to be better every time. Prioritizing the tasks that are going to get us closer to achieving our goal. For example, creating daily RICHUALs, like waking up 30 minutes earlier to meditate and drinking water to hydrate. If we want to get more out of life and our business/career, we need to maintain our bodies and make sure it is in optimal shape. Mastery of yourself is mastery of your life. 

Default Calendar: 

Self-mastery is also about being disciplined to use the MAGIC word. Not PLEASE and THANK YOU as we learned in kindergarten. The most important work in self-mastery is NO. Prioritizing what we do is about managing our schedule proactively and intentionally. Saying NO to repetitive meetings and random events. Only say YES to the activities that serve your business purpose. Famous billionaire US investor Warren Buffett once said, “The difference between successful and less successful people is the successful say ‘no’ to almost everything.” Wouldn’t it be a relief to feel confident enough to simply say ‘no’ when someone asks you to take on yet another task or commit to another event? (BBC article “Why saying ‘no’ will boost your career”) 

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20140314-just-say-no 

Practice Gratitude: 

That is one of the most transformational practices you can implement in your life. Learn to practice gratitude every morning. And here I would like to give you a quick challenge. Since we are all grateful for the positive things in life like our family the roof over our heads, and the wonderful things that we own, my challenge for you is to practice gratitude for the less fortunate things in your life. Like, “I am grateful for the dream car that I cannot afford, as it’s making me more disciplined to work harder in life to get it one day.” Or “I am grateful for the years of civil war and living in bunkers because I learned how to be resilient…” That extreme was to make a point. Learn to use wants as motivation to action. Finding the positive in the negative is what differentiates successful people from the rest. 

Ask for help: 

Now I know I said practising gratitude is the most important skill you can start implementing today, well this one is a close second. Consistently successful people always ask for help. They surround themselves with people who they look up to. Jim Rohn once said that you are the average of the 5 people with whom you spend the most time. Look around you. Is it time to upgrade your entourage? If today, you are the smartest person in the room you need to be in a different room. And start learning from others.

Lifelong Learners: 

Finally, never stop learning. We are one of the luckiest generations to have the privilege of knowledge accessibility. We have tools that we can learn from whether we are auditory visual or kinesthetic learners. From YouTube to podcasts to print to everything in between, the main quality of consistency in the workplace and when our employees want to learn new skills and are constantly evolving. 

Consistency starts with the individuals and systems that are consistent and disciplined. Now let us compare a successful work to a successful Major League team. All players have these characteristics to stay on the team. They recruit the best, they have a rigorous training calendar, they are constantly learning and evolving their skills, and most importantly they act as a unit helping each other. And that is the kind of consistency we need in the workplace. The consistency of how each team member shows up to practice and shows up at the game with the same attitude. A WINNING attitude. 

Is Consistency at Work Important? 

Consistency at work is important because it helps create a predictable workplace. When employees can predict what will happen at work, they are more likely to be able to maintain consistency in their own behaviour. This can help prevent problems from arising and help the workplace run smoothly. This will create an environment of trust and high productivity.

Higher Levels of Productivity 

There are always new things to learn on the job and things are constantly changing. To stay productive, you need to be able to adapt to new policies and procedures. Making things consistent can also help increase productivity. Knowing your actual job duties and what is expected of you can help you stay focused and increase your productivity.

Give Employees Opportunities to Stay Consistent 

Give employees opportunities to stay consistent in the workplace by providing them with challenges and tasks that are within their skill set. Recognise when an employee is struggling and allow them to improve their performance. Be clear about expectations and help employees meet deadlines. When an employee demonstrates consistency, reward them with positive reinforcement. And share with them constructive feedback. Giving the employees tools to allow them to perform tasks effectively and consistently is setting them up for success.

Proven Tactics for Creating Consistency and Efficiency 

There are a few key things you can do to create consistency and efficiency in your workplace. First, make sure you have a clear and concise plan for each day. Write down what needs to be done and then stick to it as much as possible. This will help you stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked by other tasks. Secondly, try to batch similar tasks together so that you can complete them more quickly and efficiently. For example, if you need to make phone calls, do them all at once instead of spreading them out throughout the day. Finally, delegate tasks whenever possible so that you can focus on the most important items on your list. By following these tips, you can create a more consistent and efficient workplace. 

Define your workplace culture 

Workplace culture can be defined as the values, beliefs, and behaviours that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment of an organisation. workplace culture includes a wide range of factors, such as the company’s mission and values, the way work is organised and managed, the style of communication and interaction among employees, and the overall atmosphere of the workplace. One of the key questions that will create a culture of consistency and the regular practice of the employees asking themselves this qualifying question before every task: IS THIS IN THE COMPANY’S BEST INTEREST? This question will automatically put into perspective what needs to be accomplished and refocus the priorities. This will become part of the company culture to always do what is in the company’s best interest.

Workplace Culture 

Workplace culture can be a major factor in employee satisfaction. If a company’s profile and personality fit well with an employee’s, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job. A good workplace culture can also help a company attract and retain the best talent. Great employees will always join great companies because they want to be around people who are like them. If your company culture is all about consistency and discipline, do you think it will attract relaxed individuals? Think of the military, would someone voluntarily join if the military does not match their brand? Of course not, and that is exactly what organisations should focus on. Create the kind of culture you want employees to have.

Finally, consistency in the workplace can provide several benefits for both employees and employers. For employees, consistency can lead to increased job satisfaction and feelings of stability. For employers, consistency can lead to increased productivity and decreased turnover. In addition, consistency at the workplace can help to create a positive work environment. 

And like everything else in life, if you would like to practice being more consistent you need to start small and build your consistency muscle.  

Click here for all 14 points of culture.