This is the third installment of a 5 part series on, “The 5 Cs of Leadership”. The first C is “Composed”. The second C is “Confident”. This post will discuss “Consistent” as the third C. It is worth noting that I did not come up with, “The 5 Cs of Leadership”. I adopted these from Richard Rierson, who is my leadership mentor. Richard has started a leadership mastermind known as Dose of Leadership University. I encourage all who are reading my post to check out this mastermind and consider joining us.
Consistent as presented on Merriam-Webster.com has a definition of, “marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity: free from variation or contradiction”. As a leader, the consistent application of all 5 of the Cs of leadership works in concert. It is important to be consistent in being composed, confident, courageous, and compassionate.
It is also important to be consistent in many other ways. The best leaders are consistently learning, reading, relating, mentoring others, being mentored, modeling behavior, preparing others for success, clearing roadblocks, and many other activities of directing the growth of themselves and others. The most effective leaders I have met are consistent in striving for physical, fiscal, intellectual, relational, and spiritual development for themselves and those in their care. I should be regularly asking myself if I am living up to these standards.
Leaders are not perfect. I have found that the more I strive to develop myself, two seemly opposite truths seem to appear. First, I see that I am indeed growing in these areas…even if it is only by a small fraction of a percentage each day. Second, I see that my need to grow in these areas is greater than I initially realized. For example, the more I learn about relating to others in my care I am subsequently more keenly aware that there is so much I still need to learn about relating to those very people.
I have stumbled, failed, messed up, and made more mistakes than I can count. If I allowed myself to wallow in those painful experiences of the past I would likely be in a miserable mental, emotional, and physical state. Another area where leaders need to be consistent is owning their mistakes, learning from them, and striving to not repeat those mistakes in the future. In other words, never quit on yourself nor on those in your care.
As we strive for being consistent, these patterns will turn into positive and uplifting habits. The outcome of these habits will provide you with personal growth and satisfaction, and they will benefit those around you who are in your care. Leaders shine the spotlight of success on those for whom they care. Consistency in applying the 5 Cs creates a difference, at least it does in your own corner of the world.