Leadership is called to earn, build 

and maintain trust

(By Rick Lambert)

Trust is not a simple quality born out of nothing.  Trust is complex, and though it may be given easily, once lost, it can be extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible to restore.  Trust the product of positive actions.  As you respond to people with strength-building actions, you are rewarded with their trust.  It also works the same way when you are seeking to trust someone else.  These actions communicate to you that that person can be trusted.  Here are few often overlooked ways to begin the restoration process of trust.

Sincerity – This is nothing more than simply meaning what you say.  Sincerity is the realization that the recipient of your words will likely make some decision, or form some opinion that will affect future decisions.  It’s making sure they have the best, and most accurate information possible to make the best personal decision.  A sincere person doesn’t want to be part of damaging anyone.  Self-centeredness cripples trust.  It breeds insincerity.  This is why people tend not to trust salespeople.  This is not a slam against any salesperson; it’s simply that they must produce more sincerity in order to win the trust of others.

Selflessness (others focus) – Treat others the way you would want them to treat you and others, like a customer. Your trust is cultivated by your willingness to focus on the desires, goals, ambition, etc… of others, and making them part of your plan toward helping them fulfill it.  As you discover their motives, you can build effective trust.  Put yourself in the shoes of someone else.  It’s the ability to communicate to others how they are important to you. (That is, if they are.  You must be sincere.)

Self-control – Trust is evidenced in your ability to master events that surround you.  Allowing events to get the best of you diminishes your trust in the eyes of others.  Actions such as anger, harsh or unjust criticism, even laziness are indicators of weak self-control, and communicate loudly that you may not be able to be trusted.

Truthfulness – One of the greatest trust builders is simply being truthful.  Lying, exaggerations, even incomplete information can blemish your honesty, and make it difficult for others to trust you.

“Truthfulness is at the foundation of all personal excellence.  It exhibits itself in conduct. It is rectitude – truth in action, and shines through every word and deed.  It means reliableness, and convinces others that you can be trusted.  And a man is truly prepared when it is known that he can be relied on – that when he says he knows a thing, he does know it, and when he says he will do a thing, he can do it, and does it.  This reliableness (the ability to be trusted) becomes a passport to the general esteem and confidence of mankind” (Samuel Smiles).

Consistency – No quality should be more emphasized than this one.  Perfection is not expected in anyone, but consistency is a quintessential quality.  Without it, trust becomes weak, and is met with reluctance and cynicism.  Develop the traits that people admire, and that are considered strengths.  Practice them, and be an example of them.  This will add consistency to your position, and make you a more effective leader and manager.