Trust is the foundation of all caring, beneficial relationships – both personal and professional. It enables open communication, genuine commitment, and mutual accountability. For leaders, trust is the key to motivating action and driving sustainable progress.
The genesis of trust is generosity – a genuine intention to help others. Trustworthy leaders build this foundation of trust in two ways:
- Modeling trustworthiness. They consistently demonstrate their competence, reliability, and care for others. By “walking the talk”, they show their commitment to the team’s success. In his book, “The Thin Book of Trust,” Charles Feltman explains how to strengthen these dimensions of trust.
- Extending trust to others. Trustworthy leaders actively seek feedback and perspectives from their team. They collaborate closely to deliver meaningful results that benefit the organization and strengthen those they lead.
But even the best leaders will face situations that threaten trust. It may be caused by a new initiative that raises concerns about the leader’s commitment to their team; or, it may be prompted by an unresolved difference of opinion between team members. Trustworthy leaders recognize these threats, and act promptly to reassure and to restore the trust.
When trust is violated, rather than reacting emotionally and focusing on what was done to erode trust, these leaders work to understand all viewpoints, striving to see the situation as those who feel threatened see it. By shifting the dialogue from blame to a constructive discussion of competence and reliability, they can restore trust.
Rebuilding trust requires generosity of spirit – a willingness to consider others’ motivations, not just defend one’s own position. This skill is essential for leaders who want to maintain the strong, trusting relationships that drive lasting progress.
How are you strengthening your trust building skill?
