For the Workplace
Dependability
Keeping my promises and obligations even when it requires extra effort
Dependability creates a workplace where trust and consistency anchor daily work.
When people follow through on commitments, others can plan, collaborate, and perform with confidence. Dependability strengthens team reliability and supports long-term success.
Essay
Dependability in the Workplace
by Jill Tomey
When I was writing code back in the ’80s, it was common to ask colleagues for help if your program wasn’t doing what you expected. Programmers routinely looked at someone else’s code to help find the bug. Often it was something simple that was just overlooked. Other times, it may have been more complicated, and having a second set of eyes helped to discover the problem. We all required help occasionally and gave support as needed. Sometimes we learned something new when someone helped us, and sometimes we discovered something new when we were the ones helping.
The systems I worked on were large and complicated. Analysis, design and programming tasks were distributed among several teams. Output from one group was input to another. If a team could not be depended upon to finish their job on time, it impacted others and potentially the final delivery date. We knew that we needed to communicate clearly and on time. The effects rippled through the team if specifications were vague or you identified a problem the day before the due date. Our individual Dependability assisted in building relationships with teammates that created a culture of trust. We were comfortable making suggestions, taking risks, or thinking ‘outside the box’ because we knew our management and co-workers had our backs. We rotated being on-call and gladly covered for each other.
Being on that team spoiled me for any other workgroup I have encountered in my career. We worked long hours, but we were connected, so we did it together. The Dependability that each person exhibited created friendships that are still active today, 40 years later.
How can Dependability help your teams?
Affirmations for the Workplace
I follow through on my commitments and honor my word.
I make promises thoughtfully so I can deliver on them.
I take responsibility for my mistakes and work to correct them.
I contribute my fair share to team goals and shared tasks.
I stay aware of my workload and capacity so I can manage expectations and ask for support when needed.
Dependability Resource Library
The Links below will take you to Resources you can use in the workplace to encourage the Character Quality of Dependability.
Dependability Quotes
Looking for reminders that Dependability makes a difference? Explore the full collection of Dependability Quotes and find the perfect line to share, post, or spark a conversation.
