The 5 Pillars of Trust
In order to be an effective leader, everything depends upon trust – everything. You don’t follow a leader you don’t trust.
We all sense trust is important, but what are the specific elements that make up trust? Last week I recommended Henry Cloud’s new book Trust, where he unpacks the five essential pillars of trust:
Understanding: you can trust someone when you feel that your needs are understood, felt, and cared about.
Motive: you can trust someone when you feel their motive is for you, not just for themselves.
Ability: you can trust someone when you feel they have the ability or capacity to guard and deliver results for what you entrusted to them.
Character: you can trust someone who has the character or personal makeup needed.
Track record: you can trust someone who has a track record of performing in the ways you need them to perform.
As I reflected upon Cloud’s pillars, I summarized them this way:
Care & compassion
Clear motive & connection
Competency & capacity
Character & conviction
Consistency & credibility
Understanding, motive, ability, character, track record. No matter what you do today, look to cultivate and deepen trust in all five areas.