Trust is the essence of leadership — Colin Powell
Let’s face it, being a trustworthy leader and leading a trustworthy organization are not rocket science. The biggest problem with trust is that it is not “regulated” and therefore, most leaders don’t think about it. Trust is taken for granted. Imagine if CEO compensation was tied to an annual trust audit!
The second biggest problem is an outcome of the first. When trust is not practiced proactively or when a leader hasn’t “banked” trust, he or she spends a good deal of time putting out fires and reacting to crises. There is no time to build trust into the organizational DNA.
Regardless of the size or type of organization you lead, choosing trust as a business imperative means the strategy starts with you. Begin today by following these simple suggestions:
- Be honest: Once you tell a lie, nobody will believe anything you say.
- Be selfless: Put others before yourself- ask how you can help and mean it.
- Be humble: Park your ego at the door.
- Be inclusive: Celebrate and share the successes of others.
- Be accountable: Always keep your word.
- Be appreciative: Never forget the “Thank you.”
- Be apologetic: Admit your mistakes.
- Be competent: It’s okay to say “I don’t know.”
- Be consistent: Always lead the same way.
- Be patient: Take time to teach.
- Be persistent: Build trust into the daily agenda.
- Be open-minded: Sometimes change is good.
- Be positive: People like being around others who are.
- Be curious: Learn from others.
- Be risk tolerant: Innovation will flourish when people are allowed to make mistakes.
- Be transparent: Let others know what you are thinking.
- Be authentic: Don’t be a phony.
- Be an enabler: Allow people to make independent decisions.
- Be human: Share personal stories with your team.
- Be fun: And finally, don’t forget to laugh at your own mistakes and enjoy the journey with your team.
Barbara Brooks Kimmel is the Executive Director of Trust Across America-Trust Around the World whose mission is to help organizations build trust. She is also the editor of the award winning TRUST INC. book series. In 2012 Barbara was named “One of 25 Women Changing the World” by Good Business International.
Nominations are now being accepted for Trust Across America-Trust Around the World’s 5th annual Global Top Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business.
Coming Soon!
Should you wish to communicate directly with Barbara, drop her a note at Barbara@trustacrossamerica.com
Copyright © 2014, Next Decade, Inc.
My two cents on a good article by Barbara. The process of building trust begins from recruitment when the employers rely on CV and references and employee on the employer’s financial standing and reputation. It is worker’s efficiency, initiative, honesty and cooperation that help make him trustworthy. Employees develop trust in their employers the way they give instructions, understand employee’s problems and manage things according to law and ethical norms and abide by their social responsibility.