In our trainings, we ask people to share their values. Inevitably we hear
"trust." Though we all want to be trusted and be able to trust
others, the reality is trust is an outcome. Trust takes time. Here are four
things you can do to establish a foundation for trust:
1. Keep your word. Promises were meant to be kept. That is true on both
sides of the aisle. We need to realize the seriousness of our word; as well as
the word of others. We need to keep others accountable for the things they said
they'd do and to the degree they said they would do it! From delivering a lunch
to the vows of matrimony, promises need to be kept.
2. Act predictably. No one likes to work for or work with someone who isn't
predictable. Most people would rather know someone is consistently angry and
irritable than someone who is happy one day and angry the next. Inconsistency
in attitude is an indicator of inconsistency in other areas of life.
3. Articulate your message. When you make statements, communicate them
clearly. Be specific in your expectations and in your vision. Keep it simple.
Far too often mission statements are paragraphs of good values, but too
complicated to remember or take to heart. Articulate your message and remember
often recipients of a message hear promises, not concepts.
4. Be sincere and up-front. When you are upfront and candid, people will
have less reason to come back and accuse deception. Remember, there is no such thing
as a half-truth. Full disclosure with true care for the other person’s
well-being can’t be beat!
Author and apologist Ravi
Zacharias said, “Integrity is such an admirable quality, that even your enemies
will trust you if they know you’re a man of integrity.” That’s a legacy worth
striving for! Trust is the best cure to skepticism.
Labels: accountability, articulate, cornerstone leadership solutions, Honesty, leadership training, Legacy, predictable, promises, ravi zacharias, sincerity, trust
