We live in an age of mistrust, especially of organizations. No wonder! We have observed a myriad of leaders choosing themselves over those they lead. Often this is done out of the public eye, but eventually the heart is revealed, and when the constituents discern ANY breach of trust the toxin has entered the system.
Organizations can often identify “trust” as a value. But the question is where is the beginning point? If trust is our value, does that mean we are expecting trust from you or we are trusting you? Where is the origin of trust? Is it not authenticity and transparency? Is it not leadership being in touch with their fears and frustrations so much that they are dealing with their “shadow side”?
The origin point of trust is trust-WORTHINESS!!! It is living worthy of the trust of those we are leading. That includes communication, listening so as to deeply hear not listening to buttress our view and presentation. Trustworthiness is an everyday choice that is founded deeply in our own awareness of ourselves AND our communication and trust of others.
Churches are prime places where the power of trust plays. Volunteer organizations have the incredible power of trust… or not! If trust is living and real, the speed and nimbleness of an organization is strong and empowering and forgiving and effective. If trust is not living, we find rules and regulations and regulations for regulations that somehow flow from the past “hurts” which we wish to avoid by red tape, all the while ignoring the real problem is our lack of trustworthiness.
It is not often the constituents fault when the trust is not living.
Should we read that sentence again?
The anger and despair of not being trusted is a breach somewhere in the leader-constituents relationship. And yes, you as a leader can inherit the culture of mistrust. So how do you overcome this culture? Not by demanding power or trust! Not by saying those who have real questions and differences are disrespectful or somehow captured by fear! The answer is living worthy of trust (authentic and transparent which demands high self awareness) over time long enough that the people CHOOSE to trust!
And one last thought. When others don’t trust, refuse to pin the tail of the donkey on them. Choose instead to accept that somewhere they have been defrauded or thought they were. Lead with being open and uncovering your motives. Then observe the power (actually authority) you are given!