Inspire Trust the Leadership Coin

Business / Leadership

“Trustworthy leaders enjoy the benefits of seeing employees stretching more, pushing more limits, and volunteering more. When leaders create a high trust environment that is consistent over time, collaboration increases and organizations leap forward. That’s what a high trust environment can bring to you and your organization.”
Zigarmi

Trust needs some serious repair these days.

The cumulative effects of big corporate trust busters such as Enron, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and WorldCom, and the self-centred greed of some Wall Street firms have brought in cynicism and destroyed the confidence of simple people.

As a result, rebuilding trust has become a top priority for companies that are looking to break out of the negativity that has become pervasive in many organizations.

“What’s in it for me” attitude robs an organization of the best that employees have to offer especially during these times. When employees perceive that the organization or its leaders are less truthful and forthcoming, employees become unwilling to contribute their positive energy or make any commitments to their organization’s well-being beyond the absolute minimum.

“One of the things I learnt when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself I could not change others.” - Nelson Mandela 

The Four Areas of TRUST needed by Leaders of Today…

Leaders looking to turn around things in their organization need to take a hard look in the mirror and examine their own behaviours; are they being trustworthy? Is there transparency and honesty with their people at all levels of the organization?

As Zigarmi explains, “By using the Able, Believable, Connected and Dependable (ABCD) model we can help people create action plans in order to repair damaged relationships where trust has been broken.”

{I}

ABLE is about demonstrating competence.

1.  Do the leaders know how to get the job done?

2.  Are they able to produce results?

3.  Do they have the skills to make things happen—including knowing the organization and equipping people with the resources and information they need to get their job done?

{II}

BELIEVABLE means acting with integrity.

1.       Leaders have to be honest in their dealings with people.

2.       In practical terms, this means creating and following fair processes.

3.       People need to feel that they are being treated equitably.

4.       It doesn't necessarily mean that everyone has to be treated the same way in all circumstances, but it does mean that people are being treated appropriately and justly based on their own unique circumstances.

5.       Believability is also about acting in a consistent, values-driven manner that reassures employees that they can rely on their leaders.

{III}

CONNECTED is about demonstrating care and concern for other people.

1.  It means focusing on people and identifying their needs.

2.  It is supported by good communication skills.

3.  Leaders need to openly share information about the organization and about themselves.

4.  This allows the leader to be seen as more of a real person that a follower can identify with.

5.  When people share a little bit of information about themselves, it creates a sense of connection.

{IV}

DEPENDABLE is about reliably following through on what the leaders say that they are going to do. It means being accountable for their actions and being responsive to the needs of others so if leaders promise something they must follow through.

It also requires being organized and predictable so that people can see that the leaders have things in order and are able to follow through on their promises.

Employees want to give their best:

It is learnt in many cases that when people believe that they are working for trustworthy leaders, they are willing to invest their talents in making a difference in an organization. Those people who feel more connected will invest more of themselves in their work. High trust levels lead to a greater sense of self responsibility, greater interpersonal insight, and more collective action toward achieving common goals.

“Treating people with respect will gain one wide acceptance and improve the business.” - Tao Zhu Gong 500BC

Also rightly said by Jack Welch in the one ‘P’ and a ‘4Es’ of Leadership

I look for “People” who exude Optimism

“Energy” {enthusiasm & a Zest for Life}

“Energize” {those around them}

“Edge” {ability to make tough calls}

“Execute” {ability to make it happen}

All this can only happen if people have the Trust they require from a Leader.