Consistency Builds Relational Capital
One of the key elements to building relational capital is consistency. Consistency provides multi-faceted benefits to your relationships in business and in your personal life. There is an appeal of ‘consistent behavior’ that provides trust, dependability, and reliance.
When someone can count on you to deliver on your word or be predictable with your behavior it brings security by reducing the guesswork, growing familiarity, and reducing the risk involved in partnering with someone.
There are many benefits to being consistent in your relationships, however, one of the challenges of establishing relational capital through consistency is that it takes time. This is a process that can’t be hacked, bypassed, or expedited. When your actions, intentions, and outcomes are reliable, through the course of time you build trust and dependency.
It’s hard to develop a positive reputation in your business without consistency. To be known for something, you must do it the same way enough times for people to notice. People trust businesses that prove themselves to be reliable. Don’t underestimate the power of being the same. It is one of the attributes of Jesus that the bible uses as a powerful relational builder. It lays a foundation of reliance and trust and allows you to be known at a deep level.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Benefits of Consistency
When you have established deep connections through trust and respect, new doors are opened to you. The qualities of dependability and predictability are like oxygen to a relationship. They allow you to operate in unity with another person. Businesses that have established the bedrock of trust will always do well, they will be given the benefit of the doubt and will establish loyalty in their relationships.
"All things being equal people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like, and trust."
I have found this to be true even when things are not equal! People prefer to work with people they trust. period. Inconsistent results demonstrate unprofessionalism. No one wants to pay for a wild card.
What’s it worth?
When you invest with ‘consistency’, there may be a time that you need to make a withdrawal. Let me tell you how ‘consistency’ was worth more than $1 million. Never underestimate the power of being consistent in your relationships.
