A moment to appreciate the reliable ones
Recently, I went on a guided run where a coach accompanies you by way of voice recordings on the Nike Run Club app. This was the kind where the coach pops up every 500 meters with a question, which is meant to keep your mind occupied for the next 499 meters.
At the 1500-meter mark, Coach Bennett popped a question: What are the 3 things you look for in a co-worker? It took me exactly two seconds to spill out words like good communication, empathy, and diligence. To be fair, I’d been thinking about this subject for a while. And there’s just something about running that makes one philosophical. Anyway, it got me thinking further. What makes these specific traits important? Being wired to be root cause-driven as a Product Manager, I asked myself — what is the one fundamental thing a co-worker needs to be that manifests itself in the form of good communication, empathy, and diligence? Reliability.
Let’s break it down.
Reliable means what?
Think of a co-worker.
Ask yourself this — can you count on them at work?
Get specific — can you count on them to deliver something when they say they would?
Get even more specific — can you count on them to show up for your meetings on time consistently?
In the sense of the word, reliable means trustworthy, dependable, authentic, faithful, devoted, etc. It means none of it and all of it. A reliable person is someone you can rely on...to get things done, to have your back, to show up on time, and to understand when personal emergencies come up. It’s an intimate yet casual feeling to know you can rely on your co-worker.
How do you define a ‘good co-worker’?
Depending on the work culture at your organization, the definition of a good co-worker can range from someone who’s a great friend to someone that’s a killer salesperson, or both. As co-workers, we spend at least 40 hours/week working to achieve common organizational goals, which then enables us to achieve our personal goals (being able to afford a certain level of lifestyle, etc.). When the company thrives, by extension, we thrive.
Think cogs in a wheel. Every cog needs to work in sync with others in order for the wheel to smoothly run. The cog can be many things on top of that — great texture, bright color, strong metal, and so on. But if the fundamental trait i.e. syncing with others doesn’t match, every other trait contributes very little.
That may be a far-fetched analogy, but it fits because a good co-worker is one that enables you and your organization to do well (and vice versa). While it’s natural that we appreciate and recognize it when people are kind, funny, efficient, or punctual, being reliable is one trait that is often brushed under.
To be surrounded by people you can rely on is a beautiful thing. Let this be a reminder to appreciate the ones that you are reminded of, as you read this article.
