No Excuses: Why the "Little" Things Matter

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Three "professionals" told me on Monday they would call me back related to their business offers. They are all "successful" and have been in business for years.

Not one of them has called yet, and they have had since Monday. Call me grumpy or out-of-date if you like, but all three of these "professionals" have marred their reputation with me. They now have a hurdle to overcome in doing business with me.

Wondering what this has to do with you?

Oftentimes, it's not the big things that separates those who stand out at work (or elsewhere) from those who don't. It's the little things. And it's the little things that we might be dropping the ball on without noticing it. After all, they are not big things. But they matter.

We might not notice it, but I guarantee others do. Yet, they probably won't speak up; they will just file a mental note and keep quiet.

You build your reputation by doing what you say you will do and by doing what you are expected to do. I'm not talking about being obsessive, I'm talking about be consistent. I'm talking about being trusted when it comes to the "little" things that make you stand out:

Do you consistently show up for meetings on time? (Coming in at the last second looking frazzeled isn't "on time.)
Are your reports done on time?
As a team member, do others have to wonder if you will be a little late on getting your work in?
Do you call someone back when you say you will or is it hours or a day later? (And please never tell someone you meant to call earlier but you were swamped. That only tells them how low on your priorities they are.)

Alan Weiss is a consultant that is at the top of the consulting field. His past clients are companies that are household names. He is a thought leader, international speaker and author of more than 25 books. He lets it be known that he returns all calls within 90 minutes. Guess what? He does. Even if you are a sales person and he has no interest in what you offer, you will hear back from him within his promised time frame. Dr. Weiss often says that consulting is a relationship business, but he doesn't just say it, he proves he means it by his behavior.

I have a client who has not has a performance review in almost two years. His company tells new hires they will get a mini-review in six months and a full performance review every year so they will know where they stand. The company is doing well in this economy, so I guess they think their failure to honor their commitment is on of those "little" things that just don't matter. After all, they're doing pretty well in a challenging economy and nobody's perfect, right?

When it comes to the little things, I blow it occasionally. I also pay attention to those times and make great effort to remind myself that little things are really big things; they really matter.

Maybe it's time we all subscribed to the "No Excuses" philosophy when it comes to the "little" things. And I'm not talking about beating yourself up when you blow it; that only makes things worse. I'm talking about self-awareness, self-honesty and self-accountability...guided by empathy and compassion. 

Now I have to go or I'll be late returning a phone call. 

Alan Allard, Leadership Coach, Consultant, Speaker

http://www.alanallard.com