Tag: Trust

Trust

What is the leader’s greatest asset? In leadership circles, the greatest asset is trust. If people lose trust in their leader, they will not follow, and without followers there is no leadership.

What can leaders do in order to establish a relationship of trust?

Demonstrate competence.
Wisdom in decision-making and follow through helps leaders show a competence that followers need.

Eliminate inconsistencies.
Learning to align our words and actions with our core values may not completely eliminate inconsistency, but it helps.

Cultivate character.
While challenging, integrity is the foundation of our character upon which we cultivate trust.

Trustworthy Character

Our culture has a great propensity to act one way, yet at the core be something completely different.

We refer to this as hypocrisy. We need to understand, however, that our culture has worked on this long enough it is now accepted and normal.

Hypocrisy tends to destroy every opportunity to influence others.

The core of our leadership needs to be characterized by integrity, justice, and truth.

These three characteristics highlight a leader worthy of God’s trust and the trust of those who follow. The result points to powerful influence.

Confidentiality

One of the most critical areas in leadership involves an understanding of confidentiality. Leaders must know how to keep something in confidence.

Followers need to know they can place their feelings, even their very lives, into the hands of someone they trust.

The ability to keep something in confidence makes leaders approachable and strengthens the bond of relationships.

Confidentiality is a privilege that provides guidelines for developing greater leadership.

Leaders must guard what has been placed into their sacred trust. When they do, the character they develop builds a leadership worth following.

Trust and Respect

When leadership fails there is a loss of trust and respect.

The task before leaders is learning what to do to regain trust and respect when it has been lost.

Three negatives: 1) Do not ignore or deny it, 2) Do not attempt to cover it up, and 3) Never blame someone else.

Instead, consider four positives: 1) Admit the failure, 2) Be specific about the failure), 3) Ask for forgiveness, and 4) Give a step by step plan for overcoming the failure.

A simple upfront approach is where the healing begins.

A Spiritual Leader

How should we define spiritual leadership? Realizing there are numerous possibilities, perhaps the best approach is to consider a biblical response.

Here are 10 scriptural ways to help define spiritual leaders. Spiritual leaders…

1) Move people to be more like God.
2) Rely on the blood of Christ.
3) Work to accomplish the will of God.
4) Encourage the fainthearted.
5) Admonish the unruly.
6) Strengthen the weak.
7) Seek first the kingdom of God.
8) Pray without ceasing.
9) Search the scriptures daily.
10) Trust fully in the working of God.

These are 10 suggestions and require a lifetime to develop in leadership.

Finding Answers

When I observe my children and grandchildren, I understand the idea of looking for and awaiting answers related to trials experienced in life.

Fear, anxiety, and frustration can take control quickly. How can we eliminate these concerns and find the needed answers during such times?

Where do leaders go to find answers when adversity occurs, questions arise?

Leadership involves providing guidance, direction, encouragement, support, and knowing how to give answers to help others overcome their fears, anxiety and frustration. Where can a leader go to find the answers?

Pray.
Listen to God’s word.
Seek counsel.
Learn the value of trust.
Admit mistakes.
Never miss the opportunity to grow.

When A Leader Fails

I have been fascinated with a number of quotes and principles regarding leadership and what happens when leaders fail to be trustworthy.

One primary thought expressed by John Maxwell, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

On more than one occasion I have heard various news reporters express the idea of accountability. Specifically, one analyst expressed that what leaders need to do when mistakes are made is to confess the mistake, take responsibility, and let the chips fall where they may.

What happens when leaders fail?

Leaders will experience failure and make mistakes. How leaders strategically maneuver during these times determines the level of trust from those who follow.

Friendship

Friendship is a beautiful relationship of mutual trust and support.

A relationship of mutual trust and support between two people is unmatched.

Leadership is not always seen from the perspective of friendship. Leadership is often accompanied by loneliness and seen as a lonely position. We often hear the idea expressed, “It’s lonely at the top.”

While this may be true in many corporate or political settings, it does not have to be true in every situation.

When leaders develop relationships of mutual trust and support, the friendships that blossom provide a source of strength and encouragement for addressing all challenges.

Words to Live By

While reading through a few leadership websites, I found an interesting thought by Terry Starbucker, “The Seven Most Important Words In Leadership.”

The seven words are “I don’t know and I’ll find out.”

Leaders avoid the appearance of not knowing an answer. After all, leaders are supposed to know all the answers, right?

The transparency of acknowledging we do not know and the willingness to find the answer is critical.

First, people know we do not have all the information. Second, greater credibility and trust are established when we are honest with others.

Learn these seven words and live by them.

Enoch

Enoch “walked with God.” Just saying those three words should make our hearts and minds race.

Every spiritual leader needs to be characterized by their walk with God. How powerful would be if our eulogy were simply summed up as one who “walked with God?”

The beauty of Enoch’s walk with God is explained in the book of Hebrews. The conclusion is significant: Enoch’s walk with God was a life characterized by faith.

Hebrews 11 explains that a walk of faith is one of seeking God, obedience to His word, and trusting in His providence to help us receive what is promised.