Virtue | Dependability

Dependability isn't just about showing up; it's about consistently delivering our best for family, team, and community.

The Golden Mean

The Golden Mean of dependability exists in between unreliability and stubbornness. This means we're consistent but also have the wisdom to adjust. Balancing competing demands: practice, games, deadlines, and personal responsibilities - cultivates the virtue of dependability and strengthens us as leaders.

Leadership Through Dependability

Leaders demonstrate dependability before they ever hold a title. When coaches look for team captains or employers seek new managers, they invariably ask: "Who can I trust to follow through consistently?" Leaders who model dependability create teams that value accountability.

Learning Through Service

Serving—our team, our community, or a cause we believe in—puts others' needs ahead of our own. Each time we follow through on a service commitment, especially when it's difficult, we build dependability.

Many teams build service projects into their seasons precisely because coaches understand this connection. When we experience firsthand how our reliability impacts others, dependability transforms from an abstract concept into a core value we embody.

By cultivating dependability now, we prepare ourselves not just for athletic success, but for leadership in whatever path we choose.

Five Actions to Cultivate Dependability

1. Start small and build momentum - Begin by making and keeping simple promises to yourself before taking on commitments to others.

2. Use systems, not willpower - Create reminders, calendars, and routines that make dependability automatic rather than something requiring constant decision-making.

3. Communicate proactively - When obstacles arise that might prevent you from fulfilling a commitment propose solutions rather than excuses.

4. Seek accountability partnerships - Find teammates or friends who share your commitment to dependability and check in with each other regularly.

5. Reflect on your impact - Take time to notice how your dependability (or its absence) affects those around you, especially in team settings where others rely on your contributions.

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section:

1. Who is the most dependable person in your life, and what specific behaviors demonstrate their dependability?

2. What's the biggest obstacle that prevents you from being more dependable, and what strategy could you implement to overcome it?

3. Can you share a time when someone's dependability (or lack thereof) significantly impacted a team you were part of?