Be Faithful in the Little Things
Emotional intelligence is about more than understanding the feelings of others, it’s also about being able to consistently show up as your best self, regardless of the circumstances. The journey of emotional intelligence requires daily faithfulness in your smallest actions and a conscious commitment to your values. What’s at stake if you don’t develop the skill of emotional intelligence? The answer often lies in the quality of your present experiences and the future self you’re shaping.
Who you are
&
who you become
are closely linked.
Your character is the sum of your daily choices, actions, and attitudes.
Each day, you’re given opportunities to nurture a version of yourself that’s trustworthy, resilient, and purposeful.
The question of “Who will I be?” may feel like an abstract mystery, but it’s grounded in the habits you form today. To become the healthiest, most effective version of yourself, you need to examine who you are in each of your interactions. Are you faithful in the small things, like honoring commitments, showing up on time, and being fully present in your conversations? These actions reflect your values and lay the foundation for who you will become.
A guiding principle shared by a great mentor of mine is,
“How you show up here is how you show up everywhere.”
This means that our attitudes and actions in any given moment reflect how we’ll approach more significant responsibilities. (If we slack off in small matters, it’s unlikely we’ll perform better when stakes are high. Consistency matters.) When you commit fully to each task and interaction - whether in your relationships, jobs, or even casual conversations - you establish patterns of trust and integrity. This dedication to small actions defines the path of your professional development and enables you to build character worth admiring.
Being faithful in small tasks builds a foundation for handling greater responsibilities. For instance, you may start with entry-level roles or responsibilities. These roles might not be lifelong aspirations, but they’re valuable opportunities to build resilience, respect, and a work ethic. Being faithful in these smaller positions strengthens the core qualities that will guide you through future challenges and make you invaluable to others.
My 18-year old son recently got his first job at 24 Hour Fitness. It’s a great job but it’s not what he wants to do for the rest of his life. That doesn’t mean he can disregard the work. If he is to build character, he will be faithful in every little thing he does at 24 Hour Fitness. I want him to make a contribution there, not so that he can move up the ranks or make a career out of it, but so he can begin to build the foundation of character that's going to serve him throughout his life.
At the heart of emotional intelligence is awareness.
As the ancient philosopher Lao Tzu noted: “Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
This cycle highlights the power of intentionality in shaping our futures. Asking yourself, “Who am I being in this moment?” brings your attention to how your actions align with the person you want to become. If you aim to be consistent, reliable, and respectful, these qualities will influence your interactions and leave a lasting impression on those around you.
In any group or organization, those who demonstrate these qualities naturally stand out. They’re entrusted with more, not only because they’re capable but because they’ve proven that they respect the trust placed in them. This principle may take time to manifest, but as you build your reputation through consistency and integrity, you position yourself for meaningful success.
Remember, “Faithful in little, faithful in much.” By investing wholeheartedly in each moment, you actively shape the person you’re becoming and the impact you’ll have on the world around you.
-Joe
Joe Arroyo is the expert on recruiting, selecting, training, and retaining world-class talent. As CEO of Vision Architect and Convert, him & his team have been "building business by building people” since 2001.
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