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When it comes to relationships, personally and professionally, there is one foundational element that cannot be dismissed.

That element is trust.

And to be effective as a leader, you must also earn the respect of those who follow.

Trust and respect are not demands you make or default results of having a title.

On the contrary, they are what you build and what you earn by your actions every single day.

If you have the trust and respect of your team, you can, together, accomplish a great deal. But if you lose those, you also lose your effectiveness as a leader.

Trusted Leaders

Trusted leaders are known for their integrity, dependability, tenacity, and caring. If you want to be a trusted and respected leader, you must act on these every day.

Integrity

Integrity implies integration. This means your actions match your values; they are integrated. And your values are integral to who you are. This is why you must define your core values as a leader. Put them in writing and review them regularly. They give you a foundation for decisions and actions.

Dependability

Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, “The greatest ability is dependability.”

You may lack creative ability or skills, but anyone can be dependable. This means you show up on time. You make solid decisions. You are there for your team and your loved ones. You take responsibility seriously.

Tenacity

This means you keep moving forward when others are tempted to give up. You set goals, and you reach them. You anticipate obstacles, and you overcome them. Your team knows you are with them for the long haul.

Caring

You can act with integrity, dependability, and tenacity and still not have the trust and respect of your team and loved ones if you don’t express care.

John Maxwell quotes it often: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

If you truly want to earn the trust of those who follow your leadership, you must show them you care. This is thoughtfulness in action. It is listening to their ideas and concerns. It is taking time to communicate well. It is learning their strengths and helping them develop those strengths to higher levels. It is taking an interest in things that interest them.

What intentional actions can you take this week to build trust and earn respect in each of these areas?

• Integrity
• Dependability
• Tenacity
• Caring

And here is the key: Ask yourself this question EVERY week.

This is what it takes for your team to trust and respect you.

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!