Being reliable costs nothing. But it earns you everything.

Want to stand out without needing talent? Be reliable.

Years ago, I was a new sales leader managing a team of eight.

I told the president I’d be in Texas with family for the holidays. He nodded and said, “Just make sure there’s coverage.” Meaning: at least one rep available for inbound calls between Christmas and New Year’s.

We set a schedule. Two people covering each day.

Morning after Christmas, both reps emailed in “sick.” Didn’t call. Just vanished.

I was furious.

I called Jarred — one of three reps I knew I could count on. The other two were out of state.

Jarred picked up.
“Can you get to the office? The others bailed.”
“On it. Office is 30 minutes away. I’ll be there in 15.”

Jarred was my Wolf. Calm under pressure. Always shows up.

He never complained, but I later heard he’d dropped everything, sprinted to the car, and left his iPad on the roof. He found it on the road later.

That was 13 years ago. I’ve watched Jarred crush every role since. Not because he’s always the smartest in the room but because people know they can always count on him.

Being reliable costs nothing. But it earns you everything.

Be that guy. People will back you for life.