Last month, the world lost an icon with leadership and self-help expert Stephen Covey. Not only was he an author and internationally recognized speaker but he provided unparalleled insight about a primary fundamental for leaders today: trust.
First, Covey emphasized that building trust is paramount for leaders to do. Establishing, nurturing and reinforcing trust takes time. More leaders must invest their time and energy to send this message to followers. This includes the ability to restore trust that has been broken. While building trust for leaders does not just happen, Covey pointed out that “it is something that you can get good at, something you can measure and improve, something for which you can “move the needle.” You cannot be an effective leader without trust.”
Also, Covey has mentioned through his literary works that trust is measured and assessed. This can be done through organizational benchmarks. When a leader sets the tone for the workplace, organization, or community then there is a sense of camaraderie that builds. Once this is measured and underscored in numerous ways then leaders and their teams see evidence of trust building.
Noted icon Warren Bennis once said that “Leadership without mutual trust is a contradiction in terms.” Given the extensive work set forth by Covey, it is high time for leaders to take note and make building trust a priority.
Dawn McCoy
Author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success
