How to be an exceptional contractor

In college I enjoyed many conversations with the vice president of operations. We both have a similar background, and were like-minded on many things.

I thought about doing some consulting and starting up a business, and he gave me some advice. “If you want to be a good contractor, it's very simple: Do what you say you're going to do. Do that and you'll be exceptional.”

It's rare, and it's harder than it sounds. I have not always succeeded in doing everything I thought I could do or wanted to do. I've been on both sides of a contractor relationship, and I can attest this is wisdom.

It's like Jesus said, “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).

James also wrote, “above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment” (5:12).