It’s almost humorous the lengths people go to in order to prove to others they aren’t what we know them to be. A case in point is laziness. No one likes to be seen or thought of as lazy, but the reality is some people exude that quality.
Because they don’t want to be judged or viewed as lazy, lazy people sometimes work really hard in spurts or in key moments. This all-out effort for a short duration can appear very impressive. Yet, observant leaders aren’t fooled. Team members who exemplify real dedication, commitment, and effort don’t show up some of the time. They show up all of the time.
This is one more example of how consistency proves who we really are. We are what we do consistently in all moments and situations. Lazy people can be some of the hardest working people we know, but the standard of consistency tells a different story. This same illusion can be applied to many other qualities people aspire to but only pretend to be.
Some of the meanest people are, at times, some of the nicest people. Some of the least caring people are, at times, some of the most empathetic people. Some of the least responsible people are, at times, the most dependable people. Some of the most immature people are, at times, the most mature people. Some of the least composed people are, at times, the calmest people. Some of the least courageous people are, at times, the most fearless people. And, so on it goes.
Be on the lookout for those who feign a quality with brief bursts and displays that don’t endure. We are what we do the most often. That is our true authentic self. Everything else is just smoke and mirrors.
