Best Corporate Qualities

One of the many lessons offered by Dan Sullivan, founder of The Strategic Coach, is what he refers to as “The Four Referable Qualities.” As with so many things, there is elegance to the simplicity of these. They are:

• Do what you say you’re going to do.
• Finish what you start.
• Say please and thank you.
• Show up on time.

Pretty basic stuff. In fact, when I was first exposed to this, my reaction was “really…that’s it?” However, through discussion, I came to realize that so many people do not live up to one or more of these essential qualities. Neither do organizations.

That these apply to businesses and their leaders should not come as a surprise. Consider each of these in the context of organizational leadership.

Doing what you say you will do. When a company commits to a course of action and follows through, it builds trust with its customers, employees, and other stakeholders. This trust fosters loyalty, enhances the company’s reputation, and can become a crucial element of long-term success. Conversely, if a company fails to meet its promises, it risks damaging its credibility, losing clients, and ultimately, its market reputation. Consistency in honoring commitments demonstrates reliability and integrity, which are fundamental to sustaining positive relationships and achieving organizational goals.

Finish what you start. Leaders who finish what they start set a powerful example for their teams. When leaders follow through on their commitments, they model accountability and responsibility. This behavior encourages team members to adopt the same mindset, creating a culture of reliability and determination within the organization. It also demonstrates to the team that their leader is dependable and serious about stated goals and targets.

Say please and thank you. Basic courtesy always has its place but is sometimes ignored given the frantic pace of business. Irrespective of the reason, overlooking simple gestures of consideration and respect can build over time and become an accepted  part of organizational behavior. It can be better. It should be better.

Show up on time. It is all too common for tardiness to become an accepted practice. This becomes especially irritating to others when a meeting organizer delays the start while waiting for the one or two participants who have not yet arrived. Habitually showing up late can signal a lack of discipline or personal responsibility. To the extent that it affects others, it is disrespectful at the very least.

Give it some thought. How does your organization stack up when it comes to these four referable qualities? Room for improvement?

For more information on ways to improve your organizational performance, contact me at joe@ajstrategy.com.