Think about people you trust, friends you can count on, or contractors who allow you to get a good night’s sleep. Ask yourself what makes you feel that way. Is it something they do or who they are? The answer is both. Being recognized as a dependable person doesn’t happen by magic. People have to prove that they’re dependable to earn your trust. Here are 25 ways to demonstrate that you’re dependable.

25 Ways to Prove That You’re Dependable

Give of yourself. Be kind and compassionate. Put others first rather than making everything about yourself. Folks will notice that you have their best interest at heart.

Stick to your knitting. Focus your efforts in a few areas rather than spreading yourself too thin. Trying to be excellent at everything leads to mediocrity.

Know what you know. Don’t try to be an expert in everything. If you’re unavailable or not the right person to satisfy a request, don’t pretend that you are. Instead, suggest someone who may be in a position to help.

Take the initiative. Be proactive. If something needs to be done, do it. Don’t wait for others to tell you what to do. Anticipate needs and show that you care.

Be open, honest, and transparent. Tell it like it is rather than sugarcoating it. When you stand for honesty, everything you say carries the voice of credibility

Set the bar high. See the best, expect the best, and be the best. Autograph your work with pride.

Keep your promises. Every time you give your word, you’re putting your honor on the line. Given that, only make promises you can keep. A promise should be as binding as a contract.

Manage expectations. Underpromise and overdeliver. Always try to do a little more than people expect.

Minimize surprises. Point out problems, even small ones, before people discover them. Otherwise, they’ll wonder if you’re hiding something else from them.

Leave nothing to the imagination. Simplify your statements so that everyone understands your message. When in doubt, communicate more rather than less. Communicate the rationale so that your intent is known. Confirm whether your message is understood. Put things in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

Be objective. Present both sides of an issue to prove that you’re objective. If you have a personal bias or a conflict of interest, make it known.

Be courteous and considerate. Focus on the details — return emails promptly, call before you show up, and clean up after yourself. In addition, delivering something a day early, without prior notification, can be as unwanted as delivering it late.

Give people confidence. Be conscientious. If you spend a little time up-front, you’ll save a lot of aggravation on the back end. In other words, do it right the first time or be forced to do it again, later.

Fess up to mistakes. If you do something wrong, accept responsibility, and try to make things right. No excuses.

Demonstrate your loyalty. It’s easy to be loyal when times are good, but people with strong moral character show their true colors when times are tough.

Focus on the process. Just as service and décor affect a dining experience, the way you deliver a product affects the buying experience. In other words, the journey is as important as the destination.

Get your act together. Don’t send mixed messages. The fastest way to lose people’s confidence is to demonstrate that one hand doesn’t know what the other is doing.

Lead by example. Follow the maxim, better done than said. Words express what’s on your mind, but your actions say what’s in your heart.

Be steady. Erratic behavior is unnerving. People will never be sure if you’ll show up in a good or bad mood.

Be conscientious. Be attentive, organized, and thorough. It’s stressful when people have to follow up on every detail because they think you won’t.

Be predicable. Time-tested behavior is one of the hallmarks of trust. Prove that you’re deserving of trust by your consistent behavior.

Finish what you start. Those who begin things, but never complete them, accomplish nothing.

Be your own person. Think for yourself. Remain true to your values. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

Be principled. Do what’s right rather than what’s convenient. Listen to your conscience. That’s why you have one.

Be the best you can be. Never confuse reputation with moral character. Your reputation reflects how you’re viewed; your character portrays who you are.

You may be the most gifted person in the world, but if you’re not dependable, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Can People Count On You?

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Additional Reading:
Are You Reliable or a Flake?
Why Do You Trust Some People and Mistrust Others?
A Promise Is A Promise
How Credible Are You?
50 Ways to Lose Trust and Credibility

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