Photo Credit: Pixabay/Prince Media
By Ashar Mohammad
True leaders keep their promises. Fake leaders go back on their words.
The Five “Cs” of a Trusted Leader
Building trust is something anyone wanting to be a successful leader must do. Trust underpins every relationship in the workplace—between coach and client, between colleagues, between boss and employees, and between businesses. Trust isn’t something that is inherent; it must be forged through consistent action. While there are many ways to become a trusted leader, they typically have some common traits, known as the “Five Cs.”
- Commitment
A committed leader is someone who is loyal to the cause, the vision, and the client or team. They persevere despite setbacks. When a leader is committed, she will build the trust of those around her by staying present, engaged, and positive. Commitment is the number one thing a leader can demonstrate to build trust.
- Connection
A trustworthy leader is connected to those who look up to him. He resists the temptation to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind and become neglectful of those who depend upon him. He never comes off as distant or detached in his leadership role. He is willing to take some time away from his daily commitments to get to know his clients or team members in a meaningful way. This helps others see him as a trusted person who cares about them and values their involvement.
- Compassion
A trustworthy leader gets to know her employees, listens to their concerns, and responds in a meaningful way—each and every time. This doesn’t mean coddling others. A trustworthy leader expects team members to perform their jobs professionally, but a trusted leader knows that no one is perfect. People make mistakes, suffer hardships, and sometimes just need to know that someone cares. A great leader “has the back” of each team member or client.
- Consistency
Consistency is key for a leader. A trusted leader maintains a calm and collected demeanor, even under fire. His staff is therefore more likely to approach him with great ideas, as well as with legitimate concerns. By maintaining consistent expectations, and reacting in a consistent manner, he builds trust with his team.
- Competency
A great leader invests time in getting to know the issues, expands her skills, and participates in continuous learning. She doesn’t pretend to be an expert in all things. She surrounds herself with skilled, knowledgeable people and relies on their expertise. Employees trust her for being straightforward and honest.
Ashar Mohammed is Nutritionist, Networking Business Coach, NLP Practitioner, Life Coach, and the author of Home Work Out Bible and Healthy Eating. After earning a MBA, Ashar worked in business for his family and on his own for 13 years, until becoming a coach in 2015. Now pursuing his true passion, Ashar has helped thousands of people around the world to achieve their freedom—freedom from disease, freedom of time, and travel and financial freedom. For more information, visit his blog at ashardxn.blogspot.se.