Trust is the glue that holds relationships together. It is the foundation for everything else the follows – the willingness to listen, believe, follow, engage and invest ourselves in others. In this month’s e-letter we mention the results of an employee study in which 91% of respondents identified “being trusted to get a job done” as the #1 factor that that made them feel successful and satisfied in their job.
Managers and leaders who trust
- Get more things done
- Spend their own time more wisely and productively
- Grow their employees’ abilities to do more
- Allow employees to demonstrate their own skills and talents
- Create opportunities to recognize and reward others
First and foremost, trusting others requires you to trust yourself. Appraise your own strengths and weaknesses. Work to maximize your strengths. Don’t waste time trying to hide your vulnerabilities. A leader who trusts him or herself communicates a quiet confidence that is contagious.
Six ways leaders demonstrate that they trust themselves:
1. They acknowledge their own areas of weakness.
- They don’t try to hide their limitations; instead, they readily tap into others’ strengths to fill voids.
2. They let others try it “their way.”
- They don’t see their own way as the only way; they seek options and ideas from others.
3. They admit when they are wrong.
- They don’t point fingers at others to deflect blame; they focus on learning and getting it right.
4. They say “no” when necessary.
- They don’t over-commit and take on more than they should or could.
5. They manage negativity internally and externally.
- They have an honest but confident appraisal of their own capabilities
6. They aren’t afraid to show their “soft side” and feelings.
- They recognize the importance of empathy and responding to needs of others; they find time for self reflection and examination.
See http://www.leadservs.com/otherservices.php for information about our customized leadership intensives and retreats that teach leaders trust building skills.
