“In the short run, technology may be more efficient than man, but it will never be perfect. Every piece of equipment will eventually reveal an error code. In the long run, man will never be perfect, but prove to be more reliable than technology.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
As an engineering undergraduate, my Professor, a very knowledgeable woman taught me a very simple definition of reliability. She said, “reliability is the probability that an equipment, device or machine will not fail provided it is operated within specified conditions and in the right environment.” This definition was at best a classroom definition that we all had to understand or better still memorize as it was surely going to be an examination question.
Recently I began to meditate on this definition of reliability. My Prof. must have been right I said to myself, but I think she didn’t tell us something. I said to myself “is it only machines that could be reliable? How about people?” I then attempted to redefine the reliability of people by replacing the equipment, devices, and machine in the definition to “an individual”. So let’s try it together: “reliability is the probability that an individual or group of people will not fail provided they operate within specified conditions and in the right environment.” Wow! This definition made sense to me. It then became clear to me, that beyond the reliability of machines and devices, there is something called people reliability. A reliable man is one you could depend on, one you could trust.
Beyond the machinery, plants, maintenance activities, and all, the actual reliability lies with the people. Reliability lies more on the people than on the machines. You see, if the machines are reliable and the people are not, the people would make the entire system unreliable. But if the people are reliable and the machines aren’t, they will make the machines become reliable over time.
If the behavior of the machines would change, then the behavior of the people would first have to change. If reliability must be effective, it must start from the leadership of the organization. Top-level management, maintenance organization, and project team leadership all play a crucial behavior-changing role when it comes to improving machine and process reliability. But nothing sets the stage for reliability success like top-level management support. Getting people to become reliable is much more than a one-day event or workshop. A deliberate inclusion into the entire operational ethics of an organization and into its staff will eventually bring about a reliable organization.
How to be a reliable individual
Benefits of having a reliable person as a boss, colleague, or subordinate:
1. The reliable individual gains the trust of many hence has better relationships- your friends know they can count on you, your colleagues go to sleep when the job is in your care. It means you are reliable! Think of that machine in your company that delivers whenever it’s needed or that equipment that has gained the trust of all. You appear to give it more care, maintenance, and attention. That’s exactly how it is with people who are reliable.
2. The reliable individual receives greater and better opportunities. When people see they can rely on you, they push more tasks and responsibilities to you. This at first will seem like more work, but in the real sense, this will allow you to grow, learn and eventually become an expert. This definitely would open more opportunities to such individuals. And remember when there’s a need to appoint someone to captain the ship for a project, it is the reliable man that will be called upon.
3. The reliable individual is given more freedom. Have you ever worked with a boss who checks at you every minute and second? It could sometimes mean that over time you have not proven to be reliable. A reliable man is usually given more freedom. He receives much less supervision yet is given greater responsibility. If I were to become a machine capable of performing maintenance, production of manufacturing functions, I would rather bear the name – MR RELIABLE.
4. The reliable individual is confident and with a clear conscience. It is an evil man who runs when no one is chasing him. Because a reliable man always keeps his promises, has a reputation for integrity, such a person is always confident. Apart from people being able to count on him, he can also count on himself. Cheers to the reliable man!
In all, a reliable man leads a simple more energetic, and enjoyable life. We have discussed so much about machine and equipment reliability, but it would be wonderful to take some deep thoughts about people’s reliability. The machines are to be operated by people, but these people have to first be more reliable than even the machine.
Learn to keep your promises, don’t over-promise instead over-deliver, and be consistent enough to finish what you start, be honest, and for whatever you do, do it well. People’s reliability is not built overnight, it is built over time.
Are you reliable?