10 Questions Reveal Trustworthy Leaders

Be trustworthy if you aspire to matter in the world.

“Earn trust, earn trust, earn trust. Then you can worry about the rest.” Seth Godin

10 questions:

How do your team members answer the following questions when they think of you?

1. Would your team members recommend you as a boss for a family member?
2. Can people count on you to have their backs?
3. Do you understand each team member’s aspirations and goals?
4. Will you show up when someone needs you?
5. Are people confident you protect their confidence?
6. Do people believe you are fair?
7. Will you freely share information?
8. Do you have a hidden agenda?
9. Are they sure you will never throw them under the bus?
10. Will you give them credit for their ideas?

I prefer questions that begin with “how” or “what”. But trust is fundamentally a “yes” or “no” issue. You either trust someone or you don’t.

5 Simple ways to be trustworthy:

#1. Listen to people.

The best way to be trustworthy is to understand people. Let them know you’re listening.

1. Calm your spirit when others are talking.
2. Indicate you’re listening, nod and look at them.
3. Give your attention. Turn off distracting notifications.
4. Sit or stand with an open posture.
5. Clarify understanding by repeating what you hear.
6. Don’t interrupt!
7. Listen to understand. Don’t judge.

#2. Under-promise and over-deliver.

Trustworthy leaders keep promises. Optimistic commitments make you untrustworthy

#3. Stay within your strengths.

Own your weaknesses. Don’t pretend you know when you don’t. Don’t pretend you can when you can’t.

#4. Apologize.

Surprising sentences that convince people you are trustworthy:

1. I was wrong.
2. I screwed up.
3. I made a mistake.
4. I apologize.
5. Will you forgive me?

#5. Love people.

Always strive to advantage others, even when it’s painful for them or you.

Which of the 10 questions do you find most revealing?

What suggestions do you have for being a trustworthy leader?

Still curious:

The Top 5 Tips for Building Trust and Multiplying Impact

How to B.U.I.L.D. T.R.U.S.T.

Active listening helps people trust you

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This post was previously published on LEADERSHIPFREAK.BLOG and is republished with Creative Commons license.

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