On one hand, my sharing this complement can be seen as a self-promoting gesture. O.K., guilty as charged. I can live with being accused of a tooting my own horn a bit. On the other hand, am I the only one who thinks it's somewhat unusual to be praised simply for keeping his word? Unfortunately, I've found (and I'm sure that you have as well) that there are a remarkable number of business people who don't consistently fulfill their commitments. 

Our behaviors help shape others' perceptions of us. As a supplier, I strive to fulfill my obligations on time and as agreed. It is an essential part of my building a favorable professional reputation. Still, I'm not perfect. Despite my best efforts, there are times when delays are unavoidable. When these instances occur, I don't simply assume that these delays will be accepted and tolerated by clients/ stakeholders. I make a point of being proactive in my communications, even if the news isn't great. This enables us to work together to address the matter at hand. 

How strong is your professional reputation? Each of us should challenge ourselves to consistently be as good as our word.