In our current blog series, we’re exploring the Seven Characteristics of Trusted Leadership. We have already discussed honesty, social intelligence, courage, and self-reflection. Today, we will dive into what it means to have the “right stuff” as a trusted leader.

We inherently trust people who know what they are doing. Trust involves expertise, knowledge, and experience. If you want to embrace trusted leadership, set your sights on becoming an expert in your field or industry – that’s who people want to listen to. To gain the trust of others, leaders must be competent and confident in their roles and communicate those attributes clearly to the people they work alongside. 

When I taught my teenage daughter how to drive, I anxiously pressed down on an imaginary brake pad in the passenger seat. Did I mention we hadn’t yet left the garage? She yelled, “You don’t trust me!” And I said, “I do trust you as a person, but I don’t trust you to drive the car yet because that’s what you’re learning to do.” There is a direct link between competence and trust, and it can take time to gain all the skills needed to have the right stuff or expertise in your field. Sometimes, leaders must embrace growth in some areas to strengthen their capabilities through learning.

Having the right stuff doesn’t mean that leaders always have the exact correct answer or are done learning and growing. As the world changes, so do our levels of expertise. We can always build upon our competencies; one way we do this is by practicing humility. When faced with a new topic or endeavor or we have questions, it’s essential to ask them, listen, and be open to growth. A mark of a trusted leader is knowing they can handle whatever is ahead, even if it means gathering new information and data and asking questions to yield more significant support. This constant need for learning and self-reflection keeps leaders on the path of personal growth and development. 

Organizations rely on leaders who are not just knowledgeable and competent but also those who foster trust, build morale, and motivate colleagues to do their best. They are agents of change. These leaders communicate with various personalities and create new channels of collaboration. Successful leaders can make leadership look effortless, but usually, it’s anything but. It takes countless time and energy to hone their leadership skills, from managing conflict and performance issues to building teams. They lead with their principles, promote well-being, inspire their colleagues, and are responsible for advancing the best interests of their organization. This leadership style requires a skill set encompassing self-awareness, knowledge, mindfulness, leadership strategies, social intelligence, competence, and courage. By emphasizing the role of leaders in fostering trust and motivating colleagues, we empower our audience to take up the mantle of leadership and make a difference in their organizations.