4. Extend grace but be firm in some non-negotiable principles.
I have some non-negotiable things in leadership – things such as responsiveness and mutual-respect – and I share them with our team. We should have some standards which are not open to discussion. Those should usually be issues of character, vision or values.
At the same time, we need to allow people the freedom make their own way, including the freedom to fail, make mistakes, and be assured we will forgive them if needed.
5. Don’t Be a Know-It-All
Try to be knowledgeable and aware by constantly learning but realize you don’t know everything and you’ll know far more with a team.
People trust a teachable leader. They are leery of a leader who knows it all – or pretends they do. We must ask questions, allow others on our team to teach us at times, continually seek wisdom and develop individually, just as we expect those we are trying to lead to do.
6. Exhibit humility but have courage to do the hard things.
A trusted leader is humble enough to share recognition, but diligent to do the things everyone expects of the leader – such as lead through the hard seasons, remain calm in crisis, and encourage others when they need hope.
7. Value people more than progress.
This is especially difficult for driven leaders. We want success and this often is measured in numbers. But people trust people they know genuinely care for them. We must see people as individuals, get to know them, and genuinely love the people we are trying to love – considering their interests even ahead of our own.
This article on how to earn and keep trust originally appeared here, and is used by permission. Check out Ron’s leadership podcast where he discusses leadership nuggets in a practical way. Plus, check out the other Lifeway Leadership Podcasts.
