Trust - The Most Vital Component in Leadership

"Trust is the emotional glue that binds followers and leaders together."

- Warren Bennis and Bert Nanus

"If you don't believe in the messenger, you won't believe the message."

- James Kouzes and Barry Posner

I see it all the time - leaders who blame followers for breakdowns in the organization. I often hear complaints like these:

- "If those people would just do what I tell them."

- "You just can't find good workers today."

- "Why won't these people get onboard with what needs to be done?"

- "Why do they complain all the time?"

Each of these leadership laments focuses on what's wrong with the follower. Each concern excludes leadership responsibility as a source of or contributor to the breakdown.

I see employees who won't do what needs to be done, or, at best, perform at a bare minimum level. I see team members who drag their feet on new procedures or work practices. I see workers who do just enough to get by.

I see these behaviors and I ask myself - what's the problem?

When I get the opportunity to discuss the issue, I usually hear at least some component of violated trust. I hear people say that they want to perform at a higher level, but they don't trust that they will be recognized or rewarded. I hear people concerned that they'll be penalized if they speak the truth and identify the real problems in the organization. I hear people who have been beaten-up by current or previous leadership. All signs of violated trust.

Creating an environment of trust is a tricky issue. People carry past hurts with them. Some people expect more from their leaders than they are willing to give themselves. Leaders do things that unintentionally confuse or scare people. Some people just don't want to trust organizational leaders. But, regardless of the past or current situation, the responsibility to build trust lies first, and foremost, with the leader. It's not always fair, and it's not always easy. But it is always the leader's responsibility.

Trust is the foundation for every successful leader's accomplishments. When people don't trust the leader, they won't follow very far.

How do you, the leader, address the issue of trust?

Entire books have been written about trust, but, for the purpose of this article, I'll stick with two quick tips.

The first comes from the book, The Leadership Challenge. In their survey of leadership behaviors, James Kouzes and Barry Posner asked the question, "What do you look for in a credible (i.e. ? trustworthy) person?" The number one response ? "They do what they say they are going to do." So, trust building tip number one ? do what you say you're going to do.

The second idea comes from the world of social psychology. Social science researchers have identified a key behavioral principle that affects the development of trust. This principle is known as the Principle of Reciprocity. The Principle of Reciprocity states that we tend to feel obligated to repay in kind what someone else has given to us. In a nutshell, it says that if you want trust, you must first give trust. Trust building tip number two ? show people you trust them if you want them to trust you.

Trust issues almost always come back to the leader. It's possible that you can have isolated trust issues with just a few people. In this case, it may be just their personal problem. If you find yourself or if you hear someone else asking the questions at the top of this page - look out. You may have a systemic trust problem. If that's the case, your team is either in trouble or it's about to be in trouble. Carefully evaluate what might have happened or might be happening to damage trust and immediately start applying the two tips above to begin the repair.

You may use this article for electronic distribution if you will include all contact information with live links back to the author. Notification of use is not required, but I would appreciate it. Please contact the author prior to use in printed media.

Copyright 2005, Guy Harris

Guy Harris is a Relationship Repairman and People-Process Integrator. His background includes service as a US Navy Submarine Officer, functional management with major multi-national corporations, and senior management in an international chemical business. As the owner of Principle Driven Consulting, he helps entrepreneurs, business managers, and other organizational leaders improve team performance by applying the principles of human behavior.

Guy co-authored "The Behavior Bucks System(tm)" to help parents reduce stress and conflict with their children by effectively applying behavioral principles in the home. Learn more about this book at http://www.behaviorbucks.com

Learn more about Guy at http://www.principledriven.com

---

Being an Extraordinary Leader Through Tough and Challenging Times

Tough and challenging times will surely come. That is a... Read More

Leadership For Deep Results: Without Them Are You Wasting Your Leadership And Your Life? (Part One)

I've challenged all leaders I have worked with during the... Read More

The Defining Moment: The Straw That Stirs The Drink Of Motivational Leadership (Part One)

Decades ago, as a rifle platoon commander in the Marines,... Read More

Wisdom From The Rock

He grew up in Brooklyn, the son of an ex-con... Read More

You Make The Difference

What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More

10 Ways to Develop Your Latent Leader

latent (adj.) ? Not visible or apparent, but capable of... Read More

Make the Most of Your Mentoring Relationships

Mentoring is one of the best ways to learn, to... Read More

Are You a Leader or a Manager?

President Ike Eisenhower once demonstrated the difference between leadership and... Read More

The Sink Or Swim Approach To Leadership

Looking around in most corporate environments today you'll find mission,... Read More

Leadership Prep

So you want to be a leader? Or you want... Read More

Pure Discipline

General George S. Patton was born on November 11, 1885... Read More

Three Factors Of Leadership Motivation

Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you... Read More

Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain!

As the 'Great And Powerful Oz' once said to Dorothy,... Read More

Five Steps Towards Greater Self Confidence

We watch the star athlete calmly make the final shot,... Read More

Character -- Why It Matters In Leaders

"Character is much easier kept than recovered." -Thomas Paine"The best... Read More

Building Self Confidence

As a hypnotherapist I specialise in helping people to develop... Read More

The Ten Commandments of Leadership

A poem hangs on the wall at Mother Theresa's orphanage... Read More

Leadership Skill Training

Quality leadership is a positive asset that is needed in... Read More

Two Leadership Traps: How To Get Out Of Them and How To Avoid Them (Part 1)

You've heard of the Peter Principle: "People are promoted to... Read More

Professional Organizations: Join or Fold?

All of us join professional organizations for a reason--a friend... Read More

3 Ds For Leadership Action... Dedicate, Direct, Dialogue!

"...And winged hope, with heart of fire, To gain the... Read More

Leadership Skills: Four Ways of Overcoming Perfectionism

We pay a high price for perfectionism. "What perfectionism?" we... Read More

Stand Out as a Leader, Do 5 Things Better! Number One: Improve the Quality of Your Decision Making!

The manager administers, the leader improves; the manager maintains, the... Read More

The Three Essential Attributes of a Leader: (Part 2) Bringing Others to the Vision

We need to engage our listeners and transform them into... Read More

Extraordinary People in Mediocre Times

My grandfather used to speak of the days when people... Read More

Leader is Not a Title

There is a steady flow of information in the form... Read More

Using Your Intuition

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our... Read More

Who Is Randy Gage and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?

Who is Randy Gage? I first read about him in... Read More

Leadership Development and Jumping Out of Airships

A German silent film melodrama depicts an airship bombing London... Read More

5 Leadership Power Principles!

95% of Workers Fail Because of This...But They Can Fix... Read More

In Leadership, Dreams Are The Stuff That Great Results Are Made Of

Leadership is motivational or it's stumbling in the dark. The... Read More

Premature Articulation

Ask anyone about what makes a good leader and they... Read More

Leadership: Wisdom of the Ages

If you gather 100 experienced leaders together to share with... Read More