Leadership Pit Stop:
Business Leadership Coaching on the Go

Building Trust

The ultimate test of your leadership ability is whether others “buy in” to your vision and strategy and take the necessary actions to make it happen. For employees to be willing to follow you, especially when it conflicts with their own self-interests, they need to feel they can trust you to do the right thing for the company, its employees, and lastly for yourself. Why would anyone follow a leader’s direction if they suspect the leader will gain more than the company or employees will? Remember you must earn their trust. Just because you are a leader doesn’t mean you are entitled to it. A true test of the degree of trust a leader has earned is when employees are willing to follow a leader’s risky strategy without guarantees that it will be successful.

Here are specific behaviors you should take to earn the trust of your employees:

• Prepare for interactions by anticipating others’ needs and adapt for individual differences (e.g., social styles);
• Establish rapport by sharing own experiences, listening to others, and identifying commonalities that create personal connections and shared goals;
• Follow through on the commitments you make;
• Share knowledge and information to ensure all stakeholders are fully informed;
• Ensure recognition and credit are given to those most responsible for the results or effort.

Smart leaders know not to rationalize their actions when they fall short of these expectations. Employees see through explanations for what they are -- excuses that undermine trust. Don’t fool yourself in thinking your employees won’t notice or care when you fall short of these behaviors. You are a visible and easy target to observe. And how do you find out the trust level with your employees? Ask them to rate you on these behaviors. Remember, leadership is not for the timid.