Leadership Essentials: Being Worthy of Trust

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It’s difficult to quantify the importance of trust in business and in life.

Trust takes years to develop but only moments to lose.

Trust is capital. It is the tissue that connects all transactions, the tissue that binds every society and enterprise.

What does it mean to be trustworthy? A trustworthy person shows concern for others, is reliable, and exhibits consistent behavior and language regardless of the situation. What to do? How do we cultivate trust?

• Align your actions with your stated priorities.

• Think before you speak, and once you speak, align actions with words.

• Be judicious with language and commitments.

• Do what you say you will do.

People trust what and who is clear. They have confidence in those who care about people, conditions, and issues beyond themselves. Most important, people put faith in those who do what is right over what’s easy.

The Bottom Line on Being Worthy of Trust?

Cultivate your character and invest in the people around you by being worthy of trust, and by choosing to trust when appropriate. Be judicious with your words and commitments, align your words and actions, and be a person who shows up and follows-through.