Reliability Starts With Leadership🔥

Managers often say the trait they value most in an employee is reliability. Not brilliance. Not charisma. Reliability. First in attendance, then in performance. On the surface, that sounds like a low bar — yet it’s the one most often missed.

Poor attendance remains a leading cause of employee discipline and termination, far ahead of performance issues. And both are far more preventable than most leaders realize. The key is simple: make work feel less like… work.

Supporting good attendance ⏰

• A leader who brings genuine enthusiasm to the workplace sets the tone. A simple “hello” at the start of a shift, “goodbye” at the end, and “thank you” throughout the day builds connection.
• A leader who stays engaged with their team inspires the same in return. A quick pre‑shift briefing, a thoughtful end‑of‑day debrief, and a preview of tomorrow’s priorities help employees feel anchored and informed.
• These small, consistent behaviors create a sense of belonging — and people show up for places where they feel they matter.

Promoting strong performance 🚀

• Effective leaders cultivate a team mindset where everyone understands their role in achieving shared goals.
• They invest in training — explaining not just what to do, but why it matters, and demonstrating how to do it well.
• They coach continuously, offering guidance, encouragement, and feedback that helps employees grow.

Modeling the right behaviors 🌟

• Saying what they mean — and meaning what they say
• Following through on commitments
• Showing optimism, flexibility, and resilience
• Acting with integrity
• Supporting others generously

When leaders embody these traits, reliability becomes part of the culture. Employees feel valued, supported, and motivated — and leaders recognize and reward that reliability in return.

Create a culture where reliability isn’t demanded — it’s inspired today.

Paul Theroux (born 1941): American novelist and travel writer who has written numerous books, some of which have been adapted as feature films and a television series.