When teams know they can count on each other, performance soars. Going back to Google’s Project Aristotle (which I discussed in my last letter), it was found that dependability—members reliably completing quality work on time—was one of the five key traits of successful teams. The absence of dependability creates hidden costs: missed deadlines, rework, and a breakdown of trust.
A unique example comes from the airline industry. In aviation, dependability isn’t just about punctuality – it’s life or death. Research by MIT’s International Center for Air Transportation has found that when one part of a flight crew failed to follow through on a task, it triggered cascading errors in navigation, communication, and safety checks. Airlines responded by embedding cross-check protocols, ensuring each person’s dependability was visible to the team. The result: fewer errors, greater resilience, and safer flights.
The business world teaches us this: dependability is the glue that holds complex systems together. When it frays, the system weakens—whether that system is a cockpit, a project team, or a family.
Bringing it Home
I’d like to think I’m a dependable person, but I’ve been reflecting lately on how I show my kids (in particular) this dependability, and I’m afraid I’m missing the mark. The little promises to “play in a minute” or “I'll do that next week with you” tend to slip. And while I often think the little commitments - not kept - don't matter, they do to my kids, who are learning how to trust and be dependable people in their own right.
The fact is, families run on dependability. A parent who consistently follows through on promises gives children the security to trust their world. Siblings who keep agreements—whether it’s sharing a car or honoring chores—learn accountability and respect. Even small patterns, like showing up on time for family dinner, communicate: “I can be counted on.”
When dependability breaks down at home, the effects are subtle but significant. A child who experiences repeated broken promises may stop asking for help. A spouse left waiting or overburdened may quietly withdraw. Over time, these lapses create cracks in trust, just as they do in teams.
Dependability in families doesn’t mean perfection. It means honesty about what can be delivered, and integrity in following through. Saying, “I can’t do that tonight, but I will tomorrow,” often builds more trust than an empty yes.
A Small Practice
This week, be aware of the promises you’re making to your family and then challenge yourself to follow through on each of them – be a person of your word.
"Trust is built with consistency."
<br/><span class="body-2 opacity-80" style="padding-top:0.75rem">~ Lincoln Caffee</span>
"You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."
<br/><span class="body-2 opacity-80" style="padding-top:0.75rem">~ Carl Jung</span>
