Trustworthy Leaders
One of my CEO leadership coaching clients naturally has a very open and transparent leadership style. However, in this tough economic climate he made a strategic decision to be much more authoritative with the members of his senior leadership team. He was very transparent with his senior team members that he was going to be much tougher on them to be accountable for results. He needed to instill a sense of urgency and combat complacency.
The CEO also needed to be very clear with his senior leaders that they would be held accountable for substantially improving the performance of employees. He inspired trust by being transparent about his intention and being open to answering questions and addressing any lingering concerns.
The CEO needed engage his people emotionally to help them overcome complacency. The culture of the company needed to re-focus on its core values of fun and team work.
Creating a Culture of Transparency
Trust entails unavoidable risks. As a species, we are hardwired to trust others, especially those who appear similar to ourselves and who have similar interests. Trust is essential for both business and personal success, and it’s the foundation of our relationships.
But as recent financial scandals reveal, we sometimes trust too easily and trust the wrong people.
To trust wisely means starting with small acts that foster reciprocity. By communicating your willingness to trust, you give others the go-ahead to do the same.
There’s no way to enforce transparency in an organization. Honesty at the top is only a first step —and for some, an excruciatingly difficult one. As with letting go of control and micro-managing, releasing information can be rewarding, but it requires an ongoing effort, sustained attention and constant vigilance.
A transparent decision-making process leads to higher levels of organizational trust. Opaque decision-making processes appear to serve special-interest groups, regardless of whether they actually do, and they breed distrust.
Are you working in a company or law firm where leadership creates a culture of trust and transparency? Does your company or law firm provide leadership coaching and leadership development to help leadership develop transparency and trust? Leaders need .to lead model open communication for followers to fully engage.
One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “Do I lead by being open and trusting others?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching and leadership development for leaders who want to become more transparent thereby increasing the level of trust.
Working with a seasoned executive coach trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating leadership assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-i and CPI 260 can help you become more transparent increasing trust in your organization. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision and mission of your company or law firm.
I am currently accepting new executive coaching and career coaching clients. I work with both individuals and organizations. Call 415-546-1252 or send an inquiry e-mail to mbrusman@workingresources.com
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