Building Trust

[Coaching Lesson #2 from our Serving Leadership Development Program—Developing Trusting Relationships, Phase 2]

Without trust, others will not follow you. Makes sense, right? If people are going to follow someone, whether into battle, in business, or in ministry, they want to be assured that their leader can be trusted.

So what happens when followers no longer trust their leaders? Lack of trust erodes confidence in leaders’ abilities and the decisions they make. It often produces cynicism which hinders a leader’s ability to lead change efforts. Lack of trust can destroy the relationship between the leader and the led, damaging the motivation, loyalty, and morale of followers.

A leader cannot lead without trust. It must be earned through the establishment of trusting relationships with followers. Building and developing trust must be one of a leader’s top goals.

Case Study: Samuel the Trustworthy Servant (1 Samuel 12:1-5)

Samuel’s honesty and integrity built a foundation of trust with the people of Israel. He demonstrated his trustworthiness by how he handled his personal possessions, his business dealings, and how he treated those who were weaker than he was. Samuel also held himself accountable to the people he led. He opened himself up to the scrutiny of everyone with whom he had dealings. 

Whatever your leadership responsibilities are, if you will lead with honesty, integrity, and competence, you will build the trust that will enable you to become a leader who others will eagerly follow.

Character Traits of a Trustworthy Leader

• Integrity: keep your promises to others; be honest; align your actions with your words.
• Courage: don’t be afraid to make a decision; live out your principles and values; always be counted upon to speak the truth, even when it’s painful.
• Competence: stay committed to accomplishing your assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Wisdom: be a trustworthy leader who makes wise decisions.
• Motivation: remain motivated in serving others rather than living for selfish desires.
• Consistency: Remain stable and consistent in your actions, behaviors, and decisions.

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you a person that your followers can trust? Ask yourself these four questions: (1) Is my behavior predictable or erratic? (2) Do I communicate clearly or carelessly? (3) Do I treat promises seriously or lightly? Am I forthright or transparent in all my dealings with others?
2. Think of a leader that you may know who lost the trust of their followers. What do you think caused it? What was the result?
3. It has been said that “trust is difficult to earn, but easy to lose.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain why or why not.