The Trust Of Leadership

Posted by Scott Williams
3 Comments
October 23, 2009
Leaders | Leadership | Next-Level Leader

trustWhen you read a statement like “The Trust Of Leadership” it draws out a wide range of emotions.  Those emotions are derived from the types of experiences you’ve had with other leaders, your leadership and leadership in general.  There are many leadership experts, authors and professionals that define the essence of leadership in varying fashions.  I personally think the essence of leadership is Trust, “The Trust Of Leadership.”

We can break “The Trust Of Leadership” down into two simple categories:

  1. The Team Trusts The Leader-   This is one of the most important aspects of leadership, ensuring that a leader earns the trust of his/her team.  Earn is the operative word; positional equity will only get you so far.  In order for a leader to be truly successful they must have the relational equity in addition to the “Trust Equity” of their team members.  Integrity, genuine care an concern for the team, proven track record success, boldness, no “yes man” syndrome… are just a few of the ways that a team will begin to truly trust a leader.  ~The Trust of Leadership
  2. The Leader Trusts The Team- This is probably the second most important aspect of leadership and its often over-looked and very rarely carried out.  When I say trust your team that means believing in them so much that you don’t micro-manage, you get out of their way, you correct when necessary, you encourage them to lead up, you maximize their strengths and you watch them soar.  I was reading George Barna’s new book Master Leaders and in one excerpt this question was asked of many leaders: “How does a leader gain people’s trust?”  Seth Godin responded:  ”You have to trust them.”  (That’s simple, but brilliant!)  Ralph Winter added to Seth’s answer by stating this “Trust is letting people have as much rope as they need to be sure they feel good and can deliver the goods.”  Actions speak louder than words, live out trusting your people.  ~The Trust Of Leadership

I’m in no way saying I have all of the answers and I have this leadership thing figured out; however I am saying that leadership is based on trust.  I’ve always tried to lead with integrity, care and concern; embracing the fact that if people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you.  On the other hand, I truly believe in and trust my people.  I trust them so much that they have no choice but to believe in and trust themselves.  If I believe my team can fly, even if they can’t, they will get darn close.  Help your team to soar, TRUST THEM!

What has been your experience on either side of “The Trust Of Leadership?”  Share your thoughts!

  • ToniQue

    One of the biggest trust breakers I can think of is when a leader operates under the assumption that those they lead do not see what’s actually happening. Lying by omission of information is another real trust breaker.

  • http://yochananpayne.wordpress.com John

    I have to agree with ToniQue about leaders thinking no one on their team can see what’s going on as well as the lying by omission. I would however like to take it one step further by adding that “The trust of Leadership” can only be maintained (or regained) by owning up to their mistakes. I say “their” because I absolutely believe that it covers both the sides you pointed out in the post.
    As a person both in leadership as well as one under leadership I can say that if a leader is completely transparent and forthcoming then the foundation of trust is laid and can be built upon. This is the type of leader I strive to be and the type I would follow to the very gates of Hell itself.

  • http:/developaleader.com Ron Hurst

    Scott

    Well said. I think many people overlook the elegantly simple concept of extending trust to ones followers. In the formative stage of any relationship there is an element of risk taking. A small transactional process where one person takes a small trust based risk with another. If the trust is kept a slightly larger risk can be taken and reciprocated.

    Trust your team…amen there is no other answer to building a trust based leadership relationship.

    Recognizing who can be trusted now that is a whole different questions isn’t it… This is a topic I have blogged about on my site as it is a critical aspect of the leadership puzzle.

    great post

    Ron Hurst

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