Trust

 

Trust.  Trust is that critical component of character that takes a very long time to establish, can be instantly destroyed and lost, and, frequently, can never be recovered!

If a leader is going to be effective, building trust is essential!  

Stephen M.R. Covey puts it this way:

There is one thing that is common to every individual, relationship, team, family, organization, nation, economy, and civilization throughout the world-- one thing which, if removed, will destroy the most powerful government, the most successful business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love.

On the other hand, if developed and leveraged, that one thing has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life.  Yet, it is the least understood, most neglected, and most underestimated possibility of our time.

That one thing is trust. (1)

Covey goes on to break down trust into various arenas, what he calls waves, and offers a series of behaviors that are essential to building trust.  If you have not read his book, you should!  Every leader should have this tome in his or her library and read it, and reread, it regularly!

The reality is that trust, or lack thereof, can and will make or break a leader.  In order to lead, I mean really lead, one must establish and have the trust of their team.  

 

 

Trust is one of those things that cannot be demanded of people, it must be earned... and earning it takes time and patience.  The effective leader will work, and work hard, to establish trust.  Trust is a result of the leader's actions, and those actions must be a sincere and deliberate effort to build effective relationships, do the right things to the best of your ability, and to put others first by serving and supporting them.

A leader can only say "Trust me" and have people actually trust them if they have built and earned that trust over time with positive and effective actions.  The leader who neglects to establish trust from their team is finished before they even start.

(1)  Covey, Stephen M.R., The Speed of Trust:The One Thing That Changes Everything  p.1