Have you ever worked with a coworker/employee and thought that she or he was just an over achiever? Did they make you feel insecure cause they were always doing what was right despite many temptations thrown at them to do things differently? Your coworker/employee may be showing some consistent positive work ethic. By taking a look at the causes of consistency, some of the benefits that come with it, and a word of caution not to over do it, we can really appreciate its value.
​
What Causes Consistency in an Employee?
Consistency is a pattern of behavior that is repeated over and over again. This behavior can be either bad or good, productive or non-productive. For the sake of this article, we will keep it light and positive and say we are aiming for good, productive behavior.

Causes of consistency can vary. Your co-worker/employee may be passionate about the work he or she is doing. This is very easy to figure out as they are always looking for new innovative ways to improve their work. Of course this would not be possible without a great work environment in which managers and supervisor foster growth of an employee that shows true potential. The key to having a consistent employee is in fact those who supervise and lead by example. Take a minute to re-read that last sentence there. I’ll wait. 

Now that it’s sunk in a bit, let’s dissect that sentence. Key words were leading by example. A manager or supervisor cannot expect those who follow them to give exceptional consistent work, when their own work ethic and consistency is not there. Understand that those who value their work will see that form of leadership as below company standards if they are consistently putting the bare minimum effort, and showing negative behavior. 

Benefits to Positive, Consistent Behavior
The benefits of positive, consistent employees are endless. With consistent positive work ethic, the employee to supervisor relationship builds trust and dependability. The employee knows what is expected fo them and the supervisor has peace of mind knowing the employee is dependable. Consistency and dependability are almost always married. You can depend on that coworker/employee to consistently show results and increased production. As the employee continues to show consistency in their work, there will be developments of positive relationships. They may begin to inspire others to increase their production, thereby giving the supervisor a surplus of quality results.

If you are an employee- then the value of consistency is undeniable. Consistent positive work ethics will lead to an increase of personal production and recognition. The quality of your work will increase and it will be hard to be overlooked by upper management. You will be the first that comes to mind when a new position opens with a higher potential earning power. The increased trust of your superiors is always a positive trait to obtain and should not be taken for granted either. 

Don’t Over Do It.
Of course there should always be a word of caution when we discuss doing things. In this case (as in most cases) we should use consistency in moderation and at a steady pace. The key is pacing yourself so that you don’t burn yourself out. In any new adventure, you should take the time to learn the basics, and to self evaluate for areas of improvement. Doing this consistently by itself should render results and benefits to you, whether you lead a team or are an employee. 

Increased recognition inspires envy and hate. There’s no doubt about it. If you look online to any of your favoriteYouTubers, bloggers, celebrities, etc, there will always be a trail of haters, internet trolls, or direct jealousy aimed to tear them down. If you experience this, it should be taken lightly, as their position should never effect you or your life’s work. Give yourself time to grow and get accustomed to the negative behavior of others. Do not get discouraged. Eventually, those who put too much time and energy in tearing you down fall on their own sword as the quality of their work diminishes. They end up spending so much time trying to make you fail that their own work suffers. 

There is truth to the old saying “Absence makes the heart grow stronger”. Learn to use your absence by showing how valuable you are as employee. When away, if you truly are a consistent productive employee, your absence will have a high impact on the overall standing of the company you work for. As a supervisor or manager, this is especially true. We are all very unique in that there are not any two humans placed on this earth exactly the same. We may be similar. We may have the same genetic makeup as seen in twins. However we develop differently mentally and physically. This should ease your mind while away, knowing that you cannot be duplicated no matter how hard anyone tries. Your value is irreplaceable. 

In Close
Consistency is one of the most powerful strengths that anyone could have in and out of the professional setting. This characteristic gives meaning and value to any individual. After exploring the causes and benefits of consistency, and why it’s essential to not over do it, we can move forward in implementing it into our everyday lives. In time, the results of consistent positive behavior will change your life for the better. I’m ready for that type of change, how about you?