The Gold Standard
by Joe Calloway

You can count on me. You can believe in me. If I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it. Put it in the bank. Bet the farm on it. It doesn’t matter whether or not I’m in a good mood, have a headache, forgot to pick up my clothes from the cleaners, had a fight with my daughter, lost my keys, or didn’t sleep last night. If I say, “I’ll do it”, then I’ll do it. What’s more, I’ll do it every time.

If you can say this, and back it up, you’re delivering the goods. It’s called the gold standard. If you consistently do what you say you will do over a long period of time, the world will beat a path to your door. In virtually any kind of relationship, be it professional or personal, nothing is more powerful than rock solid dependability. There’s an old saying, “Amateurs work until they get it right. Professionals work until they can’t get it wrong.”

Think of someone you know or work with who is completely reliable. This is the person who, when given an assignment, simply carries it out, correctly and on time, every time. Giving them a job to do is like pulling the trigger on the starter’s gun. You point them at a task, and it is completed. You give them the tough assignment and you can forget about it, knowing it’s taken care of. How much value does that person bring to the table? It’s as good as it gets.

We love people who do what they say they will do. Dependability is the foundation of success. Dependability is the great business builder. Dependability is the definition of integrity. The gold standard of any relationship is being able to say, “I know I can count on you.”