A couple years ago I went with my family to Mexico and we joined with a team to build a house for a family in Ensenada, Mexico.  Before anything could start the family had to fund the concrete foundation of the house.  Just as that house needed a foundation our leadership needs a foundation and that is trust.  This is the bedrock of effective leadership and communication. Like concrete it takes time to become solid, but can be destroyed in an instant.

In his book The Speed of Trust, Stephen M. R. Covey defines leadership as the ability to achieve results in a way that inspires trust. But how can leaders inspire trust in their teams? To uncover this, let’s explore three principles to strengthening that foundation.

Credibility

The first “C” is credibility. As leaders, if we fail to achieve results, our teams may begin to doubt our leadership. Consider this: you can share a compelling vision for the future, but if you don’t deliver outcomes—even small wins—people will question why they should follow you. In their book The Truth About Leadership researches James Kouzes and Barry Posner emphasize that only credible leaders earn commitment which builds great organizations.   When you build credibility, you create a reservoir of trust that your team can draw upon. Therefore, as leaders, it’s vital to communicate not only what to expect but also to show that you can deliver on those expectations.

Consistency

The second “C” is consistency. This principle encompasses how we show up in different environments. Are you demonstrating the same values and commitment in all situations? If you’re saying one thing in a meeting and something entirely different in a casual conversation, you risk undermining trust. Consistency reinforces your credibility; by aligning your message across various platforms, you reassure your team that you are reliable. Remember, achieving significant results takes time, and each small win contributes to a larger vision. Share these incremental achievements openly with your team, but also be honest about the challenges. This transparency is vital to demonstrating consistency.

Character

Lastly, the third “C” stands for character. Character shines through when we openly share our struggles and setbacks. Pretending that everything is perfect when things aren’t going well only erodes trust. When teams see leaders who admit their imperfections and failures, it enhances their character in the eyes of followers. John Maxwell in his book How to Get a Return on Failure emphasizes that success and failure are two sides of the same coin. By owning our mistakes, we not only bolster our credibility but also show our teams that we are genuine and accountable.

From time to time, we may falter. The way we respond to mishaps can either break or strengthen our foundation of trust. Embracing vulnerability and accepting responsibility display both character and consistency.

Which of these areas do you need to grow in? Are there gaps that may be compromising your foundation of trust? Need help thinking into your leadership and seeing where you may have gaps with your team?  Contact me to get a feedback assessment from your team on how you are performing as a leader and where you may have gaps.  Keep strengthening your foundation to build greater trust with your team.  Lead well!

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