Credibility: The Key Pillar of Transformational Leadership
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"Trust me." A common enough phrase, but are the people with whom you work really extending their trust to you? Do they find you credible?
I’m a big fan of Stephen Covey’s assertion that building trust is essential to leadership. I bring this concept into executive team offsites as well as one-on-one coaching as a vital goal for leaders. Bottom line: if your team doesn’t trust you, they won’t follow you.
Per Covey, there are four “cores” or building blocks of credibility that all work together: integrity, intent, capabilities, and results. Of the four, I consider integrity to be the most important trait and the base upon which all other traits stand. As Warren Buffet said, “In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”
People who have known you for years most likely believe you have integrity (assuming they think well of you…!). How can you accelerate that belief in more recent acquaintances and colleagues?
Honor commitments – though many commitments are stated, most are implied.
It’s just as important to honor small daily commitments as it is to honor the big ones.
Show up for meetings on time, or let people know to go ahead without you if you’ll be late.
Send the information you said you would send.
Support and defend your team.
Support and defend your company/organization.
Complete work promised or assigned, on time.
Stand for something – even if someone disagrees with your stand, they tend to respect your adherence to it.
Be open to input, both positive and negative.
Be transparent about your intent.
Share your motive for a project, action, decision, etc. Don’t leave room for guesses as to a possible hidden agenda.
Pay attention to your capabilities:
Actively seek all possible knowledge and skills necessary to perform at a high level. The learnings from that one class you took several years ago may or may not still be valid.
Results
Be accountable for poor results as well as good ones.
Keep expectations for you and your team high.
I’ll leave you with a quote from Clemson’s football coach, Dabo Swinney (my son is a proud Clemson graduate):
“Always remember, the goals we have achieved pale in comparison to the daily commitments it took to get there.”
~ Tracey
Fundamental of the Week #11: HONOR COMMITMENTS
Be reliable; deliver on your commitments, no matter how small. If a deadline is in jeopardy, notify others immediately and set a new agreement.
Momentum Consulting offers executive business coaching, top-level executive consulting, team training, and team off-sites to build and transform your business to the next level. Inquire about business consulting and leadership coaching today.
