Who do you think of when you hear the word leader? Is there a person who comes to mind whenever you hear this word? Why is this person a leader? What is it about this person that embodies leadership? What is it about this person's skillset that makes you trust them? How have they displayed leadership in your life?
When people hear the word leader, they may think of a politician, or a teacher, or a company owner/manager, a team captain, a parent, a grandparent, a religious figure, a celebrity, a mentor, coach, etc. Did you think of one person for each one of the above categories as you read through it? Go back and read it again. What politician, teacher, company owner/manager, team captain, parent, grandparent, religious figure, celebrity, mentor, coach, etc. did you think of?
What are the qualities of a great leader? I would dare say that one the most notable hallmarks of their leadership prowess is trust. The greatest leaders in history have inspired millions to gravitate to them. This is because they are genuinely trustworthy and their purpose and assignment is to support others, bring peace to their followers' lives, bring forth breakthrough and prosperity for those who look to them for direction.
Leaders will practice division when they have to, separating their flock from the predators. Leaders are unity driven when it is appropriate, bringing together like-minded people with a common goal in mind. A great leader is able to lead people in ways that others find it impossible to do. I quote a great leader of recent history, Nelson Mandela as he said, "It always seems impossible until it's done."
Like Nelson Mandela, and many others before and after him, all great leaders have one quality in common; their followers' trust. Unfortunately, trust in leaders is scarce today. Social media, the internet, newspapers, mainstream media, etc. have clouded people's minds and changed their perception with their propaganda and rhetoric. But, we don't have to look that far to spot a lack of leadership in the world. These days, we can look as close as our workplace or the marketplace to find examples of untrustworthy, unworthy, ineffective leadership. For many of us, we can look even closer and find that lack of leadership in our own families. And still for a few of us, the poor leader is the person we see looking back at us in the mirror.
Trust in business leaders is at an all time low. People are suspicious of each other in their everyday encounters at work and in the marketplace. Less than one-third of people say their company's leaders can be trusted. Today, a record high of nearly two-thirds of professionals say "you can't be too careful" in dealing with people.
Employees want their leaders to be more trustworthy and transparent. They've grown weary of the issues caused by poor leadership. They are especially distrusting of leaders who hide behind closed doors and lead from secret places. Today's employee expects to be informed of any changes that will affect them in the workplace before the changes are implemented, not afterwards. Team members want to know what is expected of them, which is why a transparent employee handbook, one that describes the company's policies, and one which is provided prior to first day of training has become a great tool to create instant trust.
Do you want to be an effective leader at the workplace? Understand that your team members expect to be given the opportunity to reinvent themselves rather than be told they are not qualified for new roles and responsibilities. Understand that your team members do not want to feel as if they are on the chopping block when the company changes and grows. Instead, give your team members ownership of the company by including them in growth oriented decisions.
Today's leader is challenged by the growing amount of misinformation and propaganda that we all have access to online. The fake world of social media posts, podcasts and angry blogs paint leaders in a negative light while creating self-proclaimed gurus out of thin air to take over their position. Leaders face the difficulty of informing their team members of the entire truth, especially the tough reality of uncertain times and difficulties that could scare their top-talent away.
Here are 7 reasons why employees may be having trouble trusting their leaders:
1. The Leader Lacks Courage
Leaders who are not courageous enough to stand up for what they believe in will not earn the team's trust. Many of today's leaders focus more assimilation than on authenticity. They waste their time and talents trying to be like others, trying to fit into what others say a leader is supposed to be, trying to keep up with the times and with the talking points of society, rather than being themselves, developing their own identity and exercising their own leadership style.
Team members can spot a fake a mile away. A fake leader can't keep up the facade all the time, and team members will eventually spot their insecurities. Employees can't trust someone who doesn't have genuine influence in their professional circle. If the leader is not respected in the industry, he is not respected by his team. A leader who is influential will add a positive face for how their team members will be judged and evaluated by others.
2. The Agendas In Hidden Places
Employees don't want to follow the secretive leader who keeps all information to himself. They want to know that their leaders trust them and want them to be involved in the accomplishment of company goals and objectives. Leaders must never make their employees feel like there's always a hidden agenda.
Employees must believe the leader is less focused on his own fame and accolades, and in tune with the needs of the team. If the team ever thinks that their leaders are only focused on protecting themselves and their own personal agendas, they will soon stop trusting the leadership. Once a leader loses the trust of his employees, they will face an uphill battle to regain it.
3. The "All About Me", Self-Centered Leader
Be careful not to come across as self-centered. Let your people see that you wear your heart on your sleeve. When a company's leaders are only looking out for themselves, the team sees it as a lack of commitment to the team's best interest.
Great leaders are mentors and coaches who want to see their team members grow. I once heard a great leader say that the greatest compliment would be the moment a team member teaches him something of value, and shares it because he feels inclined to give back to his leader. When leaders are not intently driven by the career advancement of their employees, their employees lose trust in them. It is hard to be loyal to someone who isn't loyal to you.
4. A Bad Reputation Trickles Down
Have you ever been ashamed to admit you worked for someone because of their reputation. If you are in today's political circles, you probably have experienced this. This is not only true in politics. Today's marketplace is littered with the stench of unscrupulous individuals who do not deserve to be called leaders.
If outsiders speak about your leader in a negative light, it will make it very difficult for you to follow that leader. If your team leader's reputation is tarnished, your own reputation, as a part of his team, may be professionally tarnished.
A great leader guards his reputation by guarding his actions, both in the public eye and behind closed doors. All leaders must accept that they are constantly being watched and their actions being judged by others.
5. Inconsistent Behavior Leads to Inconsistent Results
My wife is an amazing leader. My team and I can trust that she will always act with class, wisdom and courage. We can trust that she will always practice good judgment, and that she will always put GC Rosario Group and our team members first. We can trust her to get the job done, whichever job that is, because her work ethic and business practices are always consistent.
It is a lot easier to question a leader's motives or their ability to lead if their are inconsistent. I've consulted clients who bored me to death with "yes George" and "you're right George" only to prove through their actions that they never meant it. Many pretend to be on the same page on a project or change my firm has consulted them on, only to prove by their actions that their word is inconsistent. This creates mistrust. I've disconnected from clients because of their inconsistencies. As a consultant, I want to work with a client that is focused on supporting their team's advancement rather than on their own individual growth. I don't raise superstars. I strive to work with shepherds of the flock.
Leaders who are consistent with their approach and intentions are worthy of their team members' trust. This is why all leaders should make a real effort to be consistent in their actions, so that they can continue to earn the trust of those they lead.
6. Leaders Who Don't Put In The Work
A great leader gets down and dirty. A great leader rolls up his sleeves and helps carry the team's load. When all a leader does is sit behind the desk and delegate all responsibilities to others, the team begins to build resentment against him. If team members go home smelling like dirt, sweat and tears while the leader goes home smelling like lilacs, sweets and beer, the team will feel used and abused. A team that has a hands-off leader soon loses trust in that leader.
No one expects a leader to have all the answers, but a great leader should at least be willing to dive in and help the team find the answers. How can a leader expect his team to work as a team if he himself doesn't become part of that team.
Leader is not a title. Leader is a role with an undivided responsibility to the team's well being. A leader without a team to lead is nothing more than a title driven fool.
7. Lack Of a Generous Heart
When a leader's heart isn't genuinely invested in your well being, you will lose interest in following or working with that leader. Great leaders are grateful of their team members' performance efforts, and they reward those efforts.
Employees should never feel like their leader is taking advantage of them. They should know that their leader genuinely celebrates their wins and mourns their loses. Leaders who lack a generous heart, those who lack empathy and compassion towards their team members, cannot be trusted. When team members truly believe the leader cares about them, they will give that leader their all.
Today's workplace requires leaders who are in touch with the people their lead. This is what today's leaders must ask themselves; how can I lead my team to become better today than they were yesterday, and better tomorrow than their are today without failing to become better for them myself?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
George L. Rosario is a Brooklyn NY born & raised businessman & entrepreneur turned consultant. He started GC Rosario Group with his lovely wife Claudia. With over 30 years of service to the marketplace in NYC, George has relocated and been graciously adopted by the business community of South Florida. He now travels the country helping businesses and organizations thrive in today’s noisy environment. The post-Covid era forced many to close their doors, but also opened new doors of opportunity, growth and prosperity for innovative thinkers. George & Claudia Rosario help companies, businesses, organizations and teams develop the necessary skillset and plan of action to not just survive, but thrive in this new world. GC Rosario Group helps both secular and Christian based institutions meet their goals.
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