How to Build Trust: 12 Keys to Effective Leadership

What does it feel like when you really trust someone?

There is a sense of calm. Of peace. A Knowing if you will.

It’s the feeling you get when you know that someone has your back.

Trust is something that is earned. Earned day after day through your consistent behaviors, words, actions and deeds.

It gets at the heart of our need as human beings to feel SAFE.

Conversely, when lack of trust is present, how does that feel?

There is always a question mark in the back of your mind.

An uneasy feeling,

A lack of safety,

A strong need to keep your shields up and protect yourself to various degrees.

Bottom line, it doesn’t feel very good does it?

And if a lack of trust is what’s present on your team, what’s the impact?

There is a constant, yet subtle energy drain going on because your people are busy protecting themselves vs. fully engaging and giving their complete attention to the work at hand.

I can tell you this, it impacts your companies bottom line for sure.

In small and big ways—from low morale, to procrastination, to lack of engagement in the work—ALL which can negatively impact your bottom line.
Did you know that according to Fortune Magazine’s 100 Best Companies To Work For Survey, found that “Trust betwee
Managers and Employees is the primary defining characteristic of the very best workplaces. And the earnings of these companies beat the average annualized returns of the S&P 500 by a factor of three.”

When it comes to increasing your trust factor, here are twelve ways to walk you talk that will help you to increase your skills as a leader and build trust amongst your clients, colleagues, and customers.

1. Be a Straight Shooter. Honesty really is the best policy! Speak your truth, let people know where you stand and demonstrate integrity in all you do.

2. Be Willing to Admit When You’re Wrong. If you’ve made a mistake, admit it. Do your best to take corrective actions and apologize quickly. You’re human. You make mistakes—we all do.

3. Be a Continuous Learner. Ask for constructive feedback, and learn from it. Correct and continue along your path.

4. Be Accountable. Hold yourself and others accountable to the expectations you set. And when things go awry, don’t blame others. Take responsibility for your results.

5. Be Respectful. Show that you genuinely care for others. Faking it, won’t cut it, be sincere. Show kindness and compassion in all you do.

6. Be Loyal. When things go great, give credit freely to all who made it happen. Always speak up for those who aren’t there to speak for themselves. And don’t badmouth others behind their back.

7. Be Brave. Lead courageously by tackling issues head on—even the “non-discussable” kind. Sticking your head in the sand never gets you anywhere.

8. Be a Good Listener. When you can listen with your mind, heart and spirit, you’ll hear a whole lot more. Don’t assume you know what matters most to folks. Do your best to understand their point of view.

9. Be Transparent. As a leader, it behooves you to be open and authentic with folks. More disclosure is usually better than less. Leave your hidden agendas behind as they will muddy the waters.

10. Be a Change Agent. Make things happen. Don’t over promise and under deliver as it will cost you your reputation. Do your best to be on time and within budget.

11. Be Clear. Define and disclose your expectations. Don’t assume that everyone knows what they are or even if they are shared expectations. Renegotiate as necessary as you move through the process of any given project.

12. Be Committed. Do what you say you’re going to do by when you say you’re going to do it. Make your promises and commitments mindfully—your word is your reputation. Don’t break the confidences of others.

As you increase your Trust factor through your daily words, deeds and actions, you’ll increasingly earn the trust of others.

And as your Trust Factor rises, so will your capacity of a leader.

People will be more willing to go above and beyond to follow you, to support your vision and collaboratively build the success of the whole.

And then everyone wins.

What is one trust factor that you want to work on improving?

I’d love to know.

Here’s to expanding your circles of trust.

Michele