The Importance of Trust

John C. Maxwell writes about trust in “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. He calls it the Law of Solid Ground and it’s an apt metaphor because trust is the foundation of leadership. Without trust, we have nothing to stand on.
Yet we tend to take trust for granted, or view it as a mysterious force beyond our control. Stephen Covey challenges that way of thinking. He says, “Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don’t; rather, trust is a pragmatic, tangible, actional asset that you can create.”

We don’t trust leaders because of their job title or the power they have over our lives. We trust leaders because of the strength of their character.

Why Character Matters

Every professional knows they must continually keep their technical skills fresh. But do we know that we must also keep our character strong? Strength of character can change the world.

One of the most inspirational leaders our country has ever known was an amputee with bone cancer and an indomitable spirit. Terry Fox was frustrated by how little money was going towards cancer research. He undertook a cross-country endurance run to bring attention to cancer treatment. For 143 days, he ran an average of 42 kilometres every day. He raised awareness alright. Since the first event in 1981, the annual Terry Fox Run has grown beyond all expectations. It is now the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. Millions of participants in more than 60 countries participate. All of this happened because of the awesome strength of his character.

We won’t all run across the country or inspire countless people to a big cause, but we all have something important to contribute. Every person we come into contact with is affected by our character.

Your Strength of Character

To keep your character strong, focus on these three key areas:

1. Authenticity -- Strong leaders are self-aware. Carl Jung said, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” As leaders, we spend a lot of time focused on other people. But we need to save some of that openness for ourselves and we need as much information as we can gather. Ask your colleagues for feedback. Keep a journal about your aspirations as a person and areas that could be improved.

2. Integrity -- Trust relies heavily on integrity. It is something that can’t be faked and it needs careful practice. The first step is self-reflection. When people ask you for things, consider whether you can honestly provide what they need. Part of integrity is the strength and wisdom to say no if you have to. And when you say yes, always deliver on your promise.

3. Endurance -- Terry Fox had specific daily goals. He didn’t think in terms of weeks or months. He focused on the current moment. That is one of the secrets of endurance. Set smaller goals, be realistic about obstacles, and be patient as your endurance grows. People need leaders who can be there for the long haul.

As John Maxwell said, “Character makes trust possible. And trust makes leadership possible. That’s the Law of Solid Ground.”

Call to Action:

1.What will you do to develop your authenticity?
2. How will you exercise your integrity?
3. How will you make sure you’re there for the long haul?

The best is yet to come. It starts with you.

Your friends,
The UpCloseTeam