
The Most Underrated Skill in Life: Reliability
It is amazing how much of your life can hinge on something as simple as being there when you said you would be. No grand speech. No perfect plan. Just showing up.
The Quiet Power of Being There
I have always lived by a few simple rules, one of which is: If I am on time, I am late. It is not about perfectionism. It is about recognizing that in many parts of life, control is an illusion. Things change, plans fall through, and variables slip through your fingers. But keeping your word and showing up when you said you would is one of the few things you can and should control.
And yes, it comes with a side of anxiety. The kind that makes you check the am BQE traffic report twice and leave twenty minutes earlier than necessary. Because your reputation is on the line, whether anyone says it out loud or not.
Reputations are not built in big moments. They are built in the quiet accumulation of small actions that people notice even when you think they are not paying attention. A meeting you arrived early to. A deadline you met without reminders. A promise you kept when it would have been easier to reschedule.
Five Miles, Five Friends, Five A.M.
Year after year, I met the same five friends at five in the morning to run five miles. No fanfare. No audience. Just a shared agreement that we would be there.
Some mornings were brutal. Cold air that felt like it was biting your lungs. Hills that seemed steeper every week. Days when the bed felt like it had gravity.
But we showed up. Not because it was easy, but because we knew the others would be there too.
That kind of consistency does something to you. It builds a quiet confidence. It teaches you that showing up is not about motivation. It is about commitment. And it creates a bond that does not need constant reinforcement. Trust becomes the default setting.
Reliability Is a Language
People do not just hear what you say. They read what you do.
When you show up consistently, you are sending a message without speaking. You are saying that your word means something. You are saying that others can plan around you without hesitation. You are saying that you respect their time as much as your own.
On the flip side, unreliability speaks just as loudly. The last minute cancellation. The habitual lateness. The casual disregard for agreed plans. These things do not just inconvenience people. They erode confidence.
Over time, people adjust their expectations. They stop relying on you. They stop taking you seriously.
When Absence Speaks Louder Than Effort
Not long ago, I had to fire someone for inconsistent attendance. The final straw was not a late arrival or even a missed shift. It was a no call, no show.
What made it harder was that she was capable. Before that moment, I had an honest conversation with her. I asked if she believed she did her job well when she was present. She said yes and gave strong examples. Then I asked a simpler question. How can you be effective if you are not here?
There was no good answer, because there is not one.
Talent cannot compensate for absence. Effort does not count if it is not applied consistently. And reliability is not measured by your best days. It is measured by your presence on the days no one is watching.
That is the part people remember.
The Personal Mirror
How you show up for others is a direct reflection of how you show up for yourself.
Keeping promises to yourself seems harder- especially in the beginning- because there is no immediate consequence. No one is waiting. No one is watching. But that is exactly why it matters.
When you follow through on commitments that only you know about, you build internal trust. You become someone you can rely on. A large part of public confidence stems from the private commitments you keep to yourself.
And when nobody demands more from you than you do from yourself, everything changes.
The Weather Test
I have won races on days when the weather felt personally offensive. Rain that soaked through your shoes before the starting line. Wind that made every step feel like a negotiation.
I would love to tell you it was all grit and glory. In reality, part of it was simply that fewer people showed up.
There is something both humbling and a little funny about realizing that sometimes the edge is not talent. It is attendance.
Consistency is not glamorous, but it is incredibly effective.
Showing Up Does Not Mean Showing Off
There is a difference between commitment and martyrdom.
Would I show up to work again with mono? Absolutely not. That is not dedication. That was poor judgment wrapped in a false badge of honor that was bizarrely celebrated in the last century.
But showing up in a sustainable, responsible way is still non negotiable for me. It reflects a belief that if I say I will be somewhere, I will be there. Not perfectly. Not dramatically. Just reliably.
And yes, sometimes that means showing up tired. Or slightly underprepared. Or wishing you were anywhere else.
Because the act itself matters.
The Ripple Effect of Punctuality
Punctuality is not just about you. It is about everyone else who has organized their time around your presence.
Arriving late can delay decisions, disrupt flow, and signal that other priorities took precedence. Arriving early or on time creates space. It sets a tone. It communicates readiness.
Research has shown that reliability and consistency are key components of trust in professional relationships, often outweighing raw talent in long term success. People do not just want the best person. They want the person they can count on.¹
In leadership, this becomes even more pronounced. Teams mirror what they see. If you are consistently late, disengaged, or inconsistent, that behavior spreads. If you are steady, prepared, and present, that spreads too.
A Reputation You Can Stand On
At the end of the day, your reputation walks into rooms before you do.
It is shaped by countless small moments that rarely feel significant at the time. A quick reply. A kept promise. A timely arrival. A commitment honored when it would have been easy to back out.
You do not need to control everything. You just need to control the things you can.
Showing up is one of them.
And it might be the most powerful one.
So the next time you are tempted to hit snooze, send the cancellation text, or tell yourself it does not really matter, remember this.
Every time you show up, you cast a vote for the kind of person you are becoming.
Cast it carefully. Then do it again tomorrow.
References
Covey, Stephen M. R. The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. New York: Free Press, 2006.
Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. New York: Scribner, 2016.
Lencioni, Patrick. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2002.
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ABOUT THE ROLE This is a full-time, permanent, unclassified, 10-month appointment at the New York State School for the Blind. The role involves working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams to develop, implement, and monitor a school-wide curriculum plan based on the Expanded Core Curriculum, supporting classroom instructors, and providing professional development and technical assistance. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Communicate and work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams. - Assist department leaders and classroom instructors with the development, implementation, and monitoring of a school-wide curriculum plan based on the Expanded Core Curriculum. - Participate in or facilitate curriculum review committees. - Stay informed of trends in instructional methods and educational technology. - Assist teachers in incorporating new technology into their lessons. - Provide feedback to teachers based on individual observation and student performance data. - Use data to monitor performance on New York State Learning Standards. - Provide professional development and technical assistance to support classroom instructors. - Serve as a resource to staff and teachers in the curriculum, instruction, and assessment process. - Perform other duties as requested by the Head of Department. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree or higher. - Valid Teacher of the Visually Impaired Certification. - Ability to perform moderate to heavy lifting of children. - Preferred: NYS Teaching Certificate in Special Education. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must possess valid New York State teaching certification in Teacher of the Visually Impaired with active registration at the time of hire. - Continued employment depends on maintaining this valid certification and adhering to all relevant professional development and training requirements. - Candidates with initial certification must obtain a professional certification prior to the expiration of the initial certification. - Fingerprinting through the FBI and Division of Criminal Justice Services, background check with the Office of Children and Family Services, and clearance from the Justice Center Staff Exclusion List are required (fees at applicant's expense, unless fingerprints exist in the NYS TEACH System). - Verification of bachelor's degree and valid NYS teaching certification/transcripts is required at the time of interview. SELECTION PROCESS - Review of resume and letter of interest to ensure minimum qualifications are clearly met. - Verification of degree, transcripts, and valid NYS teaching certification at the time of interview. - Completion of background checks, fingerprinting, and Staff Exclusion List clearance. HOW TO APPLY - Send a resume and letter of interest by August 20, 2026, to nyssbjobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). - The resume must clearly indicate how the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. - Include the Box number (BAT-550/00124) in the subject line of the email and cover letter. - Do not submit links to application materials (e.g., Google Docs). EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: New York State Education Department (NYSED) / New York State School for the Blind - Location: Batavia, NY (Genesee County) - Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Unclassified Service, 10-month appointment - Vacancy ID: 211134 - Bargaining Unit: PS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF) - Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM (37.5 hours per week) - Benefits: 30 hours paid personal leave annually, 12 days (84 hours) paid sick leave per school year, health/dental/vision benefits, NYS pension system or Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match, Paid Parental Leave, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and deferred compensation options. - Equal Opportunity: NYSED is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
ABOUT THE ROLE Part-Time, Permanent position with the New York State Education Department's Office of Education Policy at the New York State School for the Blind (NYSSB). This 10-month appointment involves providing speech-language services to students to support their communication and developmental needs. Location: New York State School for the Blind, Batavia, NY 14020 Date Posted: 03/06/2026 Applications Due: 08/20/2026 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Administer and interpret standardized speech/language assessments - Write speech-language reports and generate recommendations - Ensure an appropriate Individualized Education Program (IEP) is established and all mandates are fulfilled - Deliver speech-language services addressing receptive/expressive communication, feeding/swallowing disorders, augmentative/alternative communication, assistive technology, voice/fluency, and articulation/phonology - Collect and record data measuring student progress - Establish a weekly schedule ensuring all speech-language caseload mandates are met - Assist in Home-Residential-Health Center-School communication and program consistency - Perform Behavioral and Health and Safety Standards as defined in the employee handbook - Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree or higher - New York State teaching certification in Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH) OR a New York State teaching certification in Speech and Language Disabilities SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must possess valid NYS teaching certification in TSHH or Speech and Language Disabilities with active registration at the time of hire - Continued employment depends on maintaining valid certification and active registration, including adhering to professional development requirements - Candidates with initial certification must obtain professional certification prior to the expiration of the initial certification - Fingerprinting through the FBI and Division of Criminal Justice Services, a background check with the Office of Children and Family Services, and clearance from the Justice Center Staff Exclusion List are required (fees are at the applicant's expense, unless fingerprints already exist in the NYS TEACH System) - Verification of degree, transcripts, and valid certification is required at the time of interview - Preferred qualification: NYS licensure in Speech Pathology SELECTION PROCESS 1. Application and resume review 2. Verification of bachelor's degree and valid NYS teaching certification at the time of interview 3. Background checks, fingerprinting, and clearance verification HOW TO APPLY - Send a resume and letter of interest by August 20, 2026, to nyssbjobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred) - The resume must clearly indicate exactly how the minimum qualifications are met - Include the Box number (BAT-549/00127) in the subject line of the email and cover letter - Do not submit links to application materials (e.g., Google Docs) - A social security number may be required to confirm eligibility EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: New York State Education Department (NYSED) - Employment Type: Part-Time (17.5 hours per week) - Appointment Type: Permanent, Unclassified Service, 10-month appointment - Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM - Bargaining Unit: PS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF) - Benefits include: - 15 hours of paid personal leave annually - 6 days (35 hours) of paid sick leave per school year - Health, family dental, and vision benefits - Enrollment in the New York State pension system or Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with an 8% salary match - NYS Deferred Compensation and 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan - Paid Parental Leave and Paid Family Leave - Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility - Various life insurance options - NYSED is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
ABOUT THE ROLE This position is located within the Diagnostic Imaging service at the Martinsburg West Virginia VA Medical Center. The Medical Instrument Technician coordinates technical procedures requiring independent judgment and initiative in applying non-ionizing high-frequency ultrasonic waves for disease diagnosis. The role involves performing diagnostic ultrasound examinations on multiple body areas, vascular studies, and assisting radiologists with biopsies and surgical procedures. This is a permanent position in the Excepted Service with no promotion potential listed. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Control technical factors on ultrasound units affecting time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction, and diffraction - Select between non-focused, fixed-focus, linear phased array, and annual phased array settings - Set up and adjust equipment and manually maneuver transducers to perform exams - Receive and identify patients, explain procedures, assist with patient movement, and position patients for examinations - Evaluate critical and emergency procedures and rearrange priorities to accommodate them MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - United States Citizenship required (non-citizens only appointed if qualified citizens cannot be recruited) - No specific educational requirements; education may substitute for experience only at GS-4 and GS-5 levels - Licensure or certification not required but strongly desirable at GS-6 or above - Proficiency in spoken and written English required - One year of experience equivalent to GS-08 grade level required for GS-09 position - Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound on multiple body areas including abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum - Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, and portal-systemic shunts - Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures and surgical procedures - Knowledge of complex examination and treatment procedures for training and supervision - Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements - Ability to communicate effectively with employees at varying grade levels SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Subject to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment - Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959 - Must pass background/security investigation - Must pass pre-employment physical examination - Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program is mandatory - Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period evaluating fitness and public interest advancement - Physical requirements include long periods of standing/walking, bending, lifting moderately heavy items, working in awkward positions, reaching above shoulder, and routine lifting/carrying of heavy equipment/patients SELECTION PROCESS - Applications evaluated based on qualifications and experience clarity/specificity - Pre-employment reference checks performed to verify information and assess abilities - Review of applications for qualification and eligibility requirements after vacancy closes - Referral certificates issued to qualified applicants - Hiring office contacts referred applicants directly for interviews - Final notification sent to all referred applicants after selection decision HOW TO APPLY - Apply online via USAJOBS by creating or logging into account - Complete full questionnaire and submit required documentation - Upload standard Clinical Resume Document (one-page, unmodified) into restricted Resume field - Upload full resume/CV without page limit into Other document field - Include any applicable documents: transcripts, SF-50s, DD-214, disability letters, professional certifications, SF-15, cover letter - Application deadline: 11:59 PM ET on October 7, 2026 - Contact: Javay Holmes, Phone: 202-745-8000 X57558, Email: javay.holmes@va.gov - Address: Martinsburg VA Medical Center, 510 Butler Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25405 EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Work Schedule: Intermittent, variable shifts based on service needs - Location: Martinsburg, WV (1 vacancy) - Telework: Not available - Remote: No - Relocation Assistance: Not authorized - Recruitment Incentive: Not authorized - Appointment Type: Permanent - Federal Service Type: Excepted Service - Union Representation: Yes - Drug Test: Required - Security Clearance: Not required (Non-sensitive/Low Risk) - Background Check: Credentialing/Suitability/Fitness - Paid Time Off: 37-50 days annually (13-26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 federal holidays) - Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months employment - Child Care Subsidy: Available for eligible employees after 60 days - Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5-year vesting) and 401K with up to 5% VA contributions - Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options





