Earlier this month marked my second year of walking at least 10,000 steps a day, my own personal example of the power of compound interest. There’s a long list of benefits I’ve earned - from weight loss to heart health and embracing the “boring” like seeing every nook and cranny of most of the world’s airport terminals.
During one of those walks, I got to thinking about those small, often overlooked behaviors that I believe can set you apart in your career, your company, and your relationships. In my experience, the foundation for meaningful progress is built on a set of boring but powerful behaviors. These are the small, everyday actions that compound over time, creating a culture of accountability, trust, and momentum.
They aren’t glamorous, but they are essential. Here’s five of my favorites.
Return the Emails and Slacks, Every Time
One of the simplest but most impactful behaviors is just showing up by returning emails, slacks, or messages, even from people you might consider low priority. It might be tempting to hit snooze on these, but communication is the backbone of any organization. Even if your response is as simple as, “I’ll get back to you soon,” it sends a powerful message: I’m here, I’m listening, and I respect your time. That kind of reliability builds trust, and trust compounds.
Be Present with Camera ON
I get it – it’s much easier to operate with your cameras off. The problem there is that all the best things in life aren’t easy. They’re hard: it’s the effort of doing them that IS living.
I’m a big believer in the value of being fully present (or as present as possible given virtual meetings). We’ve been seeing each other's faces for the hundreds of thousands of years that we’ve been human. It’s essential if you want to hear and be heard: reading expressions and making eye contact can’t be replicated with a blank screen and your voice alone. It’s a small effort with a big payoff – stronger connections, clearer communication, and a more engaged team.
Bring More to the Meeting than Your Body
Just showing up isn’t enough. Every meeting is an opportunity to contribute, challenge, and create. Spend 30 seconds before each meeting thinking about the topic and what you’re bringing to the table. What’s the goal? What do you want to contribute? What questions do you need to ask? Those 30 seconds can be the difference between a productive meeting and one that’s just time filler. This small habit ensures that you’re not just present, but actively contributing to the forward momentum of the team.
Say “No” When You Mean No
There’s a lot of talk about the power of saying “yes,” but there’s equal power in saying “no.” If you’re not going to follow through on something, it’s better to be direct and decline than to leave someone hanging. Silence can breed confusion and frustration. Be clear about your bandwidth and priorities – it’s a sign of respect for both yourself and others.
Be Anything but Ambivalent
Finally, bring some emotion into your work. Be happy when things go well. Be mad when they don’t. Be funny when the moment calls for it. Be grumpy if that’s your honest reaction. But never, ever be ambivalent. If you can’t muster any real feelings about your work, it’s a sign that you might need to find something new. Passion – even in its rougher forms – is what keeps us moving forward.
The Compound Effect of Small Behaviors
None of these habits are glamorous. They won’t make headlines or win awards. But over time, they build a foundation of reliability, respect, and engagement – the kind of culture where big things happen. It’s the compound interest of leadership.
So, show up. Every day. Even when it feels tedious. Especially when it feels tedious. That’s where the real growth happens. Now, go answer that email you’ve been putting off.