Best Move Is to Be Calm and Reliable
Munger argues that reliability matters even when someone has other disadvantages. He makes the point through an inverted prescription for misery and an anecdote about a dependable college roommate.
THE IDEA
Best Move Is to Be Calm and Reliable
Charlie Munger: “First, be unreliable. Do not faithfully do what you have engaged to do. If you will only master this one habit, you will more than counterbalance the combined effect of all your virtues, howsoever great. If you like being distrusted and excluded from the best human contribution and company, this prescription is for you. Master this one habit, and you will always play the role of the hare in the fable except that instead of being outrun by one fine turtle you will be outrun by hordes and of mediocre turtles and even by some mediocre turtles on crutches.
“I must warn you that if you don’t follow my first prescription, it may be hard to end up miserable even if you start disadvantaged. I had a roommate in college who was and is severely dyslexic. But he is perhaps the most reliable man I have ever known. He has had a wonderful life so far, outstanding wife and children, chief executive of a multibillion dollar corporation. If you want to avoid a conventional, main-cultural, establishment result of this kind, you simply don’t count on your other handicaps to hold you back if you persist in being reliable”[cxxvii].
When to use it
Building trust in a team by consistently delivering on commitments.
Maintaining long-term client relationships through dependable service.
Personal development: cultivating reliability as a habit to overcome other weaknesses.
In leadership, setting an example of reliability to inspire others.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
The Dyslexic Roommate
Munger describes a college roommate with severe dyslexia as exceptionally reliable. He recounts the roommate’s family life and success as chief executive of a multibillion dollar corporation to illustrate the value of dependability.
The Hare and the Tortoise
The fable illustrates that consistency and reliability (the tortoise) can outperform natural talent that is unreliable (the hare). In the context of this mental model, a reliable person will outrun many talented but unreliable individuals.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How does your reliability affect your personal and professional relationships?
In what areas of your life could you improve your reliability?
Consider a time when unreliability cost you something important. What did you learn?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Art of Being Rational Charlie Munger