Or you could say, “How congruent?”
Let’s focus on the individual first…
A congruent person is one whose behaviour is a consistent reflection of their values and beliefs, and their sense of identity. Some of these values and beliefs may be in tension with each other, but they will be held in balance. What the person actually does will consistently reflect that chosen balance point.
To us, they seem “sorted” and very present. We may well be drawn to them. And their results will speak for themselves. Their clarity gives them a power.
A congruent business or organization then is one whose behaviour is a reflection of a consistent set of values and beliefs, reconciled to a chosen point of balance—for example, between cost and quality.
And just as with an individual…
We know what a congruent business stands for. It has a clear brand presence. We may well be drawn to it. And its results will speak for themselves.
Moreover, the business’s people will be able to take their lead from that consistency.
Here’s the thing…
Lose the connection between the values (like cost and quality) your business needs to hold in balance and you won’t have a congruent business. And your people can’t help but amplify that lack of congruence. After all, they have more than one master to serve.
And your brand will suffer.
A change to lead then is increasing the congruence in your business.
And, of course, it’ll need to start with you.