Trust, by Terry Johnston, Flickr

Leader trust is a powerful currency in today’s world. As we continue to see examples of leaders who lose trust in the eyes of their people and stakeholders, it is easy to see how a lack of leader trust quickly erodes businesses, organizations, and relationships.

And, while leader trust often takes years to build, this trust can be lost in a moment.

So how can leaders build and maintain trust? In his book The Trust Edge, David Horsager provides his readers with the 8 Pillars of Trust:

1. Clarity: “People trust the clear and mistrust the ambiguous.”
2. Compassion: “People put faith in those who care beyond themselves.”
3. Character: “People notice those who do what is right over what is easy.”
4. Competency: “People have confidence in those who stay fresh, relevant, and capable.”
5. Commitment: “People believe in those who stand through adversity.”
6. Connection: “People want to follow, buy from, and be around friends.”
7. Contribution: “People immediately respond to results.”
8. Consistency: “People love to see the little things done consistently.”

What steps are you taking to build your trust as a leader? As your most powerful currency in today’s world, intentional trust building is well worth the investment of your time and effort. For the sake of your leadership effectiveness, and for the sake of your organization’s health and results, invest in building your leader trust.

For those interested in a deeper look at The Trust Edge, check out David’s website at: davidhorsager.com