Reflection 45 – Rhythm of Consistency

Is consistency underrated?

We believe consistency is the engine room of performance and growth! No grand gesture or unconscious drift, just good, steady work by the team that carries the same Plan-Do-Check-Act message across all aspects of our own and our clients’ undertakings.

Being consistent avoids the peaks and troughs of the working day, the working week and over greater timescales. The marginal gains of every exchange, every client interaction and every learning event create the steady curve of growth. This makes tracking development more predictable and allows organisations to plan for growth and predict with more accuracy, instead of riding the crest of a peak one moment and, the next, sitting in the trough looking back at the position they once held.

Seneca said, “Everywhere means nowhere.” We read this as a warning against restless busyness: growth comes from focus! In our consistent approach, we aim to avoid restless busyness. It is easy to think we are making progress simply because we are moving! But momentum does not equate to progress; focus from discipline, and the consistent application of that discipline, creates progress.

Our consistent approach helps us to build team and client trust, as well as systems and structures. We are not just consistent in our message; we are also consistent in how that message is developed: from first principles, working through what is required, founded in logic-based thinking rather than emotional uncertainty. This takes practice, not only on an individual basis but also on a company basis. Ultimately, this approach becomes embedded in our DNA and becomes our identity.

This week followed that consistent approach across our site compliance tours, the spaces between, and our various discussions.

Let’s dive in!

MONDAY — SITE TOURS & CLIENT DAY

Our week started with a client day that involved a project briefing conducted on site to demonstrate situational aspects of the works, followed by the final draft of a safe system of work document for an emergency escape stair and landing project. The development of the documents involved those who were to undertake the task, so that their combined knowledge could be embedded into the documents and reflect how the works were to be executed.

We were also on site for our Local Authority client, assisting with a compliance matter raised by a member of the public.

TUESDAY — START OF A THREE-DAY TOUR

A CITB SSSTS Refresher presentation update was the order of the day for one of the team. This update ensures the presentation aligns with the current syllabus. Our digital nomad, enjoying life in Brazil, was busy assisting a client with risk assessments and method statements for a project in Portsmouth, Hampshire, between bike rides and probably a run!

We were also on the road, heading to Bedford in the Tesla for the start of a three-day tour of compliance inspections and meetings. The first was to a 16^th-century barn in the afternoon. The building is fully covered, and the roof coverings have been carefully stripped, exposing the timbers and wall tops, which are being catalogued ready for a condition survey report.

WEDNESDAY — HERITAGE TOURS & DAY TWO AWAY

The second day of our three-day excursion followed an overnight stay in Woburn, ensuring the small details had been attended to ahead of the day with the team on another heritage project. It is that consistent use of the spaces between that ensures we are fully prepared for the team. This project is very different from Tuesday’s heritage tour; elements of the work are now approaching the completion phase, with the second fix about to commence whilst plastering and first fix to other elements are progressing well.

We were also on site in Berkshire at another heritage project, fully encased in scaffold and sheeted to protect it from the elements. These projects cannot be rushed; detail has to be preserved, and safe solutions of construction developed.

THURSDAY — ADMINISTRATION AND THIRD AND FINAL AWAY DAY

Thursday was an administrative day for one of the team: a mix of catching up with loose ends, conversations and employment negotiations! The Brazilian contingent was also busy finalising client documents and, of course, we were still out on the road!

The last of our three-day tour followed an overnight stay in Oxfordshire ahead of a team day, attending a site progress meeting, then on to the joiners’ workshop for a discussion on the care of the timber used throughout the build, for the Health & Safety File and Operational & Maintenance Manual being prepared as the project draws to a close.

A total of 315 miles travelled, and 68 kWh of energy used. That equates to 4.6 miles/kWh 👌

FRIDAY — OFFICE DAY AND EXCITING NEWS!

Friday is our day when the team get together, in person or virtually, to mop up any stray ends and finalise the planning for next week. This consistent approach ensures that we are all available at some point during the day.

Our first catch-up was over an early coffee at Deveroast. Some may know this as the coffee shop of one half of the Artful Dodger, Pete Devereux, now also known as the Artful Roaster! From here, it was a short stride, carrying more coffee, to our accountants to discuss matters of employment. Then back to Deveroast for another meeting and an impromptu chat with a friend of the business.

The day ended with a client visit on the way back to base to advise on business continuity, and to finalise a revision of the offer of employment, which we can confirm has been accepted!

We are looking forward to the next chapter of LCS Project Solutions Ltd and will be providing details in the coming weeks.

CLOSING THOUGHT — THE FIG TAKES TIME

As Epictetus reminds us:

“No great thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.” — Epictetus, Discourses 1.15

This week was no grand gesture. It was 315 miles, three heritage projects, documents shaped by the people who will use them, a presentation brought up to date, and a Friday spent tidying the loose ends. None of it was dramatic, and all of it mattered. That is the rhythm of consistency: the steady blossoming that comes before the fruit.

And this week, some fruit has ripened. An offer made, an offer accepted, and a new chapter for LCS Project Solutions about to begin. It did not happen suddenly. It grew from weeks, months and years of turning up the same way, with the same Plan-Do-Check-Act thinking and the same use of the spaces between.

So, as you plan your week ahead, where could steady, consistent effort serve you better than the next grand gesture?