Reliability - Why Reliability Matters

Reliability is taking responsibility for what you promise you'll do. It's being dependable.

Would your friends or colleagues say one of your strengths is being reliable?

Like every character trait, we are not 100% of anything.

We all develop, deepen, and strengthen character traits throughout each stage of life.

Testing

I once pulled the 'helpfulness' card and wondered why the universe selected that for me. I consider myself a helpful person.

Then I left the house and was 'tested' that day by someone I knew. They needed something: a little help.

I must admit my opinion of that person was that they wouldn't help anyone unless it benefitted them.

This person was talking to someone else, and I overheard what they needed help with while passing by.

Immediately, I recalled the helpfulness card I pulled that day. What they needed, I could do.

So I went over and told them I overheard what they needed and I'd be able to help out. This task was essential to them; they relied on me to do what I said and did what I said I'd do.

Your personal growth is about you, not others. So, I also recognised that I would help them out for me, not them. It meant I felt good about myself and could put my head on my pillow, know I'd done something good for someone and sleep well.

The bonus was that I felt good about myself, and that person was very appreciative and treated me better after that occasion.

Friends of 'Reliability'

While helpfulness led me to reliability, many other friends are also reliable.

Responsibility is closely associated with reliability.

Your associates know they can depend on you to turn up to work on time or collect their children from school if they've asked you to.

We all have tasks we commit to, as others must rely on us.

However, don't be a 'Debby Downer' when you know you've let down the team because you've got other important commitments.

Teach your child how to be reliable through small tasks. Create habits for them to follow the habit until it's a habit.

For example, when they get home from school, they can take off their shoes and put them in an assigned spot.

If they are old enough, take out their lunch box and place it on the kitchen sink or in the dishwasher.

Then, if there are any 'papers' to pass on to you from the school, get them into the habit of placing them into a particular section of their school bag and checking that section each evening - and morning when they return to school if they have to provide a signed paper to the teacher.

Remember to praise your child for being reliable, responsible, helpful or whatever behaviour you see in them.

Friendship

Every parent wants their child to have trustworthy, kind and dependable friends. Your children need to learn about character traits for numerous reasons.

Firstly, learning about character traits helps them understand how behaviours match the words.

Secondly, as they recognise these character traits, they start to recognise them themselves - this eventuates in being self-aware and content with who they are.

Thirdly, discovering what they value in themselves and others helps them select their friendship group and, years later, their potential partner.

Little things have an impact on big things.