Leading by Building Trust
July 16, 2010
Q: I’m the CEO of a local company. I’m trying to lead my company through some dramatic change to deal with uncertain economic times and a changing market. How do I get my staff, especially my executive team, to trust me and the direction I’m taking?
A: Everybody is nervous these days about the economy and personal job security. Change makes them even more uncertain, because they’ve found a way to cope with the known. Now you’re asking them to cope with the unknown, and that is downright scary.
You are right about trust. They will only step up to the challenge if they trust you. To build that trust, you must establish a personal connection and bond with them. They must be able to relate to you.
Here are a few things you can do to develop that trust:
- Reach out to them with warmth, support and credible information.
- Communicate all the time and be transparent. Share good news but don’t hide the bad or gloss it over. People will fill in the gaps with rumors if you aren’t honest and straightforward about everything.
- Tell the truth and don’t overpromise. Otherwise, you will lose credibility, which is essential to trust.
- Give people opportunities to safely express their concerns — either privately or in a group. Take their concerns to heart. Listen carefully with respect, even to questions or worries that seem outlandish. Remain neutral, reassuring and realistic when you respond.
- Practice MBWA — management by walking around. Don’t hide out in your office behind your computer or impersonal e-mails. Be approachable and available to people at all levels of your company. This shows and inspires confidence.
- Grace Murray Hopper, a retired U.S. Navy Admiral, said it well. “Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect for one’s superiors; care for one’s crew.”
Paula Blanchard Stone and Patty McCarthy are partners in McCarthyBlanchard, an executive training firm specializing in key message development, presentation skills training, media interview training and executive presence. Copyright © 2008 McCarthy Blanchard. | Website
Insert your email (required)
Subject
Comments
Insert email of your friends (required)