how to be consistent and reliable in eyes of your boss?

Just do your best and be honest with everybody including yourself. If your know your job, do it promptly and quietly, if there are gray areas, never be afraid to ask question. Don't pretend that you know if you don't know it.

On the other hand, don't be afraid to share your innovative ideas, just be sure that yours is only suggestion not imposition.

Always create friendly atmosphere in the workplace by being considerate with others' feelings. Believe me, I myself is a boss. I could easily spot pretenders, bootlickers, dishonest, gossipers, overly self-confident, or bully, in as much that I could easily recognized that those who are true to themselves are result-oriented.

You can only be result-oriented if you know the difference between doing the right things and doing things right.

Choose both.

Good luck!