Trust – the first essential of Leadership

No sane individual will follow someone they cannot trust. In fact, Leadership is defective without the element of trust.

Much is written and taught on Leadership; there are lots of how-to books and programs that provide helpful skills and relational intelligence, but relatively little has been written about the character essentials of Leadership.

Of the numerous character traits that successful Leaders possess, I submit that the first essential character trait is trust. There certainly are other elements of character essential for Leadership but trust is the one that will disqualify the leader the earliest. We have seen very public examples of Leadership lost because trust was lost.

So, if you have only a few or no followers or, if your followers seem to forsake your leadership early, it is a good idea to check your trust factor. Am I a trustworthy leader? Am I reliable as a leader?

According to a 3-decade long study referenced by Barry Posner in his TED talk, there are four universal traits of people who attract followers. These four traits seem rational enough but often we find one or more of the four missing in would-be leaders. Let's examine each trait.

1. Honest

Are you a truth-teller? In a world where lying is accepted as a form of personal defense when caught in a wrong or an embarrassing situation, bold leaders will tell the truth. Honesty includes the factors of clarity and understandability. Successful leaders communicate with such clarity that their followers walk in confidence and without apprehension of direction. While vocational terminology is a part of life, an effective leader does not communicate in language the audience doesn’t understand. While, leaders should strive to build elevated vocabularies in their team members, clarity must always prevail.

To be honest also means that we do not leave ambiguous or misleading impressions. People must understand what is mandatory and what is optional - else trust is eroded. Solicitations for optional contribution should rely upon the third Leadership trait below – not on misleading communication.

2. Competent

The knowledge and ability to perform promotes trust and its absence threatens trust. Leaders must never pretend to possess knowledge or abilities that they do not have. Capable followers soon discover the shortcomings of their leader. Trust can thrive where there is no pretense and the acknowledgement that the leader relies on the knowledge and ability of the subordinate. Therefore, Leadership competence includes an element of engaging the contribution of knowledgeable subordinates in direction- and vision-casting.

3. Inspirational

A leader may be the most honest individual with crystal-clear communication and the most knowledgeable individual in the universe but if he/she does not inspire the followers to reach for goals and objectives beyond mediocrity, there will be few followers. A number of things can help to foster inspiration but in the end, it rests on the belief that the individual can have a role in accomplishing something worthwhile; he/she must be assured that something valuable will result in the effort.

The “end” inspires the “means”. A desirable outcome will make the effort seem worthwhile. No one wants to expend their time and energy (or money) for something that doesn’t really matter. All healthy humans have a deep-residing desire to contribute to something meaningful. An inspirational leader is simply one who communicates the desirable outcome in such a way that the vision moves his team members to action with anticipation.

4. Forward-looking

Every valuable team member wants to be a part of something significant. We all want to make the future better in some way; no one wants to follow someone who has no desire to improve the future. This element of purpose, vision, and a well-founded sense of direction will cause people to sign up on your team. You will never lack for engaged team members if you focus on looking forward. We may talk about the 'good ole days' but no one wants to go back; we want the benefits that are embodied in the promise of the future.

Here are some questions that will help you assess your Trust factor.

1. Am I occasionally misunderstood by members of my team? Frequently?

2. Do I understand the challenge and know the solution? Do I acknowledge and engage the abilities of my team members in executing our mission?

3. Is my passion and enthusiasm for the mission genuine? Is it obvious to my team?

4. Am I focused on making the future better in every aspect of our charge?

#trust #Leadership #Honesty #Inspiration #Competence #Forwardthinking #character