Consistency Is A Leader’s Best Friend

Let’s face it, being a leader can be tough. Some days it feels like you’re trying to herd cats while juggling flaming torches and somehow doing backflips. So, amidst all the chaos, let’s explore the one thing you can do as a leader that will help you maintain your leadership:  Consistency! 

Reflect on this scenario:  Imagine you’re playing a game of Simon Says, but Simon changes the rules every five seconds. One moment he wants you to hop on one foot, and the next he demands you to cluck like a chicken. Confusing, right? Now imagine how it can feel for employees when a leader’s behaviors, actions, decisions, and attitudes are constantly changing. They don’t know what to expect, and it becomes almost impossible to effectively follow the leader.  

So, let’s have some fun and explore the type of leaders that don’t lead by consistency, and let’s discuss how you can modify or refocus your leadership behaviors to change the employee experience.   

Inconsistent Leadership Types:  

1. The Flip-Flopper 

This is the leader who can’t make or stick to a decision. They flip flop all the time, either taking back decisions or just struggling to make any at all. This leader could be looking for affirmations, the perfect amount of data, or doesn’t have the experience to know what is best for the situation. Regardless of the cause, take a minute to reflect on how confusing and challenging this leader would be to follow. 

2. The Never-Seen Leader 

You know you have a leader, but for whatever the reasons, the leader can never be found or is hiding behind their closed office door. They are elusive, like Bigfoot! You are left to fend for yourself and get through your day struggling with minimum guidance and support.   

3. The Weathervane 

What is the purpose of a weathervane? To tell you the direction of wind! Now picture a weathervane in a tornado, what does it do? It goes in all different directions. This type of leader will have the tendency to say, “We need to focus on this today.” and then tomorrow comes to a team meeting to say, “Now today we need to focus on this.”  Come on, Mr. or Ms. Leader, give us some focus and direction and stick with it! 

4.  The Roller Coaster 

Roller coasters go up and down and all around. Now sprinkle some emotions on that roller coaster, and you have a leader that takes you on an emotional roller-coaster ride.  Today, that leader is engaging, charismatic, and focused and has you pumped for the future. Then the next day, the same leader comes in frustrated, cynical, and acts with low energy. Now, repeat day in and day out! Imagine working for this person and wondering who will be walking through that front door every day? I’m exhausted just thinking about it!  

Behaviors That Consistent Leader’s Focus On: 

1. Clear and Proactive Communication 

- Consistent leaders clearly communicate their expectations and goals.  

- They don’t leave employees guessing what the priorities are.  

- They provide a steady stream of updates and feedback. 

- Decisions are made, and, if retracted, there is reasoning and explanation to the team.  

2. Availability / Approachability 

- A dependable leader shows up, both literally and figuratively.  

- They are present and engaged, providing guidance and support to their team when needed. 

- They will make themselves available in urgent times.  

- They are dependable with responses. 

- When out of the office on travel, they create opportunities to check-in. 

- A consistent leader is easy to approach, because they don’t react, have built trust, and listen.  

3. Consistency in Vision 

- A stable and effective leader has a clear and consistent vision for the team or organization.  

- They keep everyone focused on long-term goals, despite the daily ups and downs. 

- They provide consistency in applying rules and policies. Employees should feel confident that 

  what applies to one applies to all.  

- Consistency means a leader will be persistent and committed to providing coaching, training, 

  and development to the organization.   

4. Emotional Stability and Regulation 

- Leaders who can manage their own emotions set a consistent tone for the workplace.  

- When employees know what to expect behaviorally from a leader, they are less likely to avoid 

  the leader, and, as a result, real issues can be discussed and dealt with. 

- An emotionally steady leader minimizes dramatic reactions, and, instead, focuses on solutions,  

  facts, and incremental progress.  

- A self-regulated leader builds relationships with all the different types of people in the  

  organization. He or she builds trust through consistent social interactions.  

In conclusion, consistency might not be the most glamorous aspect of leadership; heck, some would say that sounds boring, but, in my mind and experience, it is one of the most important leadership elements you can focus on. Without it, you risk running an operation that feels more like a circus than a place of business. So, as you slip on your metaphorical leadership hat, remember to be consistent; otherwise, you may be juggling flaming torches while backflipping and somehow herding cats. And trust me, nobody wants that job, and nobody wants to work for that type of leader!  

Author:  Matt Francoeur