What is dependability in the workplace?
Dependability is more important than talent. Dependability is a talent, and it is a talent all can have – Floy L. Bennett
Are you regarded as a dependable team member?
Dependability is the quality of being trustworthy and reliable and being consistent in performance or behavior. A dependable team member is regarded as someone who gets the job done with accuracy and can be counted on to follow through on work tasks in a timely manner.
“Dependability” is also a performance dimension on which C&Ts are assessed during their annual performance reviews. It is a quality managers and co-workers cherish in team members. Dependable employees can get the job done with little supervision, making them valuable to managers in an ever-changing workplace. For this reason, dependability is a highly sought-after quality by hiring managers.
Characteristics of a Dependable Employee:
- Understanding assignments and meeting deadlines consistently
- Showing up on time to work and ready to start the day
- Being trustworthy by following through on assigned task
- Communicating when issues arise, and problem solving quickly and efficiently
- Following company policies and procedures for each task and assignment
- Taking the initiative to tackle a challenging assignment
Benefits of a Dependable Employee:
- When you can demonstrate dependability, managers are less likely to feel they need to micromanage your workload.
- By holding yourself accountable to deadlines, you will build trust within your team.
- Having a track record of being dependable can build better relationships with colleagues.
- Being dependable is a leadership quality and may help with your future career goals.
- When members of your team can rely on you to deliver quality work, this creates a cohesive and reliable team.
Tips to Improve:
- Be organized:
Dependable employees are organized, which enables them to follow through on their commitments. If you feel this is an area where you fall short, consider taking a class in workflow management. - Be on Time:
Dependable employees show up ready to work. Being on time is a sign of respect for others. Self-evaluate and take note of what time you log into zoom meetings and when you are ready to begin your workday. Ask yourself, what prevents me from being on time? If this is an area you struggle in, take steps to improve by logging into zoom meetings early to head off any technical difficulties prior to the start of a meeting. You can always continue working until the meeting is ready to start. If you commute to work, check the traffic ahead of time to be sure things are running normally. - Meet Deadlines:
Help set realistic deadlines by communicating anything that might prevent you from completing a task on time. Your boss will appreciate your honesty and the information can be used the next time a deadline is set. - Be Responsive:
Dependable employees do not wait to be micromanaged, but rather take the initiative to get the job done by formulating a plan and problem solving when complications arise.
Don’t forget to schedule a check-in with your supervisor to assess where you are with annual goals. These check-ins allow for feedback on how you are doing in meeting your performance goals. Feedback helps you refine your skills in the workplace. Reflect on feedback you may have received to demonstrate dependability and commit to making changes.
When you are known to be dependable, you develop a brand for yourself. A brand is what others see as your unique qualities. This brand could be a manager’s deciding factor when considering the next role for you. What will you do to improve your dependability? Review the tips and pick one or two to focus on.
Helpful Links:
C&T Performance Review Form
Linked in Learning class “Getting Things Done”