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Trust is an essential part of leadership and being trusted is of course hard to achieve whilst losing trust is easy to do.

The elements of trust and actions you must take to be trusted.

In your communications be specific and direct. Don’t avoid the “elephant in the room”, bring issues it to the fore early and often. If problems are occurring or others are not performing as you wish let them know with tact and in private. Use a calm and logical approach to your communication and avoid abruptness.

Share credit with those that assisted in wins you have had, even go to the point of slightly overstating their contribution or as someone said “when in doubt, share”.

Resolve issues or solve problems through direct communication at with person causing the difficulty, don’t bring in the boss or others. One to one is best.

If you are doubtful about your role in a project or proposed work related activity, tell other stakeholders of your concerns upfront. If other duties and work issues overtake you when engaged on an ongoing commitment, advise of the difficulties you are having, or going to have as soon as you believe problems will occur.

Spend non-work time networking with your colleagues, don’t just wander off alone during breaks and always be involved in any volunteer activities your organization sees as worthwhile.

Don’t ask loaded or rhetorical questions, ask only “non-assumptive” questions with couching them in any “spin” or as a way to push some secret agenda.

Make only promises you can keep and if events overtake you admit it don’t avoid the issues.

If your organization has a formal lines of authority responsible for particular tasks or to resolve issues don’t step outside the existing system and practice full disclosure of facts and potentially useful information.

Admit to your mistakes and never rope others into your problems, don’t try to share the blame by pushing your real difficulties onto, or by finding fault in others. NEVER discuss (read gossip) about another employee or department particularly if they are having difficulties… NEVER gloat or demonstrate that you are enjoying the demise of others.

Be on time, make decisions, don’t procrastinate and show the strength of your self-belief and character by being willing to be wrong and live with the consequences.

Don’t scoff at another’s opinions or efforts and add support to those in difficulty. Always look at the positive intent of risky approaches to new ways of doing things and if asked honest opinions or advice with support for the fact that others are willing to try a new approach.

Have enough self-control (and demonstrate it) to overcome immediate or short-term feelings in the interests of maintaining ongoing and long term associations.

Public communication and behaviour are a small tip of a very large personal iceberg of values and belief, be willing to question your belief system and grow as a person. Don’t dogmatically stick to what you were indoctrinated with as a youngster, be will to change your perspective.

TRUST IS ESSENTIAL FOR LEADERS

The following is a list of words that others need to be using when they describe you if you are to gain and maintain their trust;

committed, confident, fearless, communicative, predictable, reliable, correct, forgiving, clear, factual, unbiased, respectful, reasonable, confidential, contributing, even, defining, accountable, interested, calm, resolute, tactful, sincere, frank, listener, patient, answering, sharing, fair, timely, honest, decisive, neutral, competent, consistent, explicit, responsible, transparent, close (near), willing, collaborative, accurate, graceful, helpful

KNOW HOW YOU STAND? WHY NOT ASK YOUR FOLLOWERS TO RANK YOU (ANONYMOUSLY) ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 OR USE THE “NEVER/SOMETIMES/MOSTLY/ALWAYS” GRID FOR EACH WORD AND SEE HOW YOU DO!

The longest sentence I have ever written… trust me!

The trust sentence…

To be trusted followers need to understand your intent and believe they can find a worry free, suspicion-less, environment where they are not taken for granted, their faith in the leader is confirmed and supported by a consistent track record, where mistakes are forgiven, miscommunications and misunderstandings are corrected, beliefs, differences and privacy are respected, sweeping opinions based on assumptions or stereotypes never occur, fear of loss is minimized, being betrayed or feeling burnt does not happen, abruptness, shock, knee jerk, emotional reactions, cynicism or anger are not permitted, vulnerable and naïve people are protected, solace is freely given, they are never disabled, over-reaction does not occur, they are never categorized, forced or excluded through prejudice, avoiding or omitting truth or facts is not permitted, interruptions, restlessness, frowning, negative gestures are discouraged, success, action and effort are acknowledged and credit given, neutrality, togetherness, flexibility, directness, informative, non-assumptive opinions and perspectives are sought by a leader who keeps promises, is willing to be wrong, extends themself, overcomes short-term feelings, avoids harming others, shows trust, risks being let down, makes amends and who also promotes, togetherness, closeness, full disclosure, open dialogue, speaking the truth, does what they say they will do, doesn’t do what you say they won’t do, develops others and their ideas, able to have fun, seeks solutions to problems, win/win agreements and closure and lives up to followers expectations through thoroughly understanding that power equals responsibility.

Phew… get me a headache tablet!

Ric (orglearn) **Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!

While you’re here take a look at the free blank, trust me it’s a good one to start with resume form!

A final thought on trust… always seek win/win solutions. Understanding the elements of trust and being able to sincerely build trust is essential for effective leadership. Trust me!?