The absence of trust can be more damaging than the presence of distrust.

"The glue that holds all relationships together—including the relationship between the leader and the led—is trust, and trust is based on integrity."?

- Brian Tracy

It is my firm belief that #trust is the foundation of all healthy relationships. But what happens when trust is not present?

It’s a discussion I have had with many leaders simply because trust is a critical component of effective #leadership . Leaders who earn trust build strong, positive relationships with their #team members, colleagues, and stakeholders.

"Trust is the cornerstone of all relationships."

?- Stephen Covey

Conversely, a lack of trust can be extremely harmful, and the reasons for this are many. Trust is certainly subjective and can vary depending on the situation and who is involved. But for me, there is a common denominator, and that is honesty and transparency.

Can we be honest and transparent

Lack of honesty and transparency is what I have experienced is a significant reason for the lack of trust. When leaders are not open, truthful, and transparent in their attitude and behavior, they miss the opportunity to show their integrity and reliability, which are essential components of trust.

By being honest and transparent, I have seen leaders set the tone for trust and being able to create a culture of openness and #accountability . This not only enhances their credibility and reputation, but also helps build trust with their team members, colleagues, and stakeholders.

I do think it requires a good portion of emotional intelligence to become an open and transparent leader. Because it requires a combination of self-awareness and intentional actions.?

"Without trust, words become the hollow sound of a wooden gong.?

With trust, words become life itself."

?- John Harold

Honest and transparent communication

First and foremost, honest, and transparent communication is needed. By clearly communicating my intentions, goals, and decision-making processes, and being transparent about any challenges or difficulties the organization may face. Because this increases trust and credibility with the team and other stakeholders, as they feel that they have access to the information they need to make informed decisions.

Furthermore, it enhances collaboration and teamwork, as it helps team members to understand what is expected of them and what their role is in achieving the organization's goals. It also encourages collaboration, as the team is more likely to work together effectively when they understand the larger context of their work.

Honest and transparent communication also promotes accountability, as the team and the stakeholders are better informed about the decisions that are being made and the reasons behind these decisions.

"Trust is built with consistency."?

- John C. Maxwell

It improves problem-solving because when challenges are communicated openly, team members and stakeholders can work together to find solutions, which can lead to more effective problem-solving and better outcomes.

Honest and transparent communication also increases motivation and engagement as team members feel that they are part of an open and transparent organization. This helps them to be motivated and engaged in their work. But communication obliges. It obliges us to lead by example.

Lead by example

Another issue I find important is to lead by example. Inconsistent behavior does have a negative influence on trust. Leaders who are inconsistent in their actions and decisions easily undermine trust, as the team and other stakeholders will question their reliability and stability.

As an example. These days, #ESG should be on top of everybody’s mind. And yes, many leaders speak about how they have integrated ESG into their organizations. But somehow it does not reflect their actions and decisions. This indicates a discrepancy between communicated values and goals, and what they believe and do, a source for distrust.?

When leaders “lead by example”, meaning that they do what they say and say what they do, they demonstrate the behaviors and values expected from their team and stakeholders, which sets a positive tone for the organization and helps build trust and credibility.

Furthermore, it encourages positive behavior, motivation, and engagement. When the team sees their leaders actively participating in and leading by example, they are more likely to copy that behavior, and this promotes a culture of accountability because the leader demonstrates their accountability and responsibility.

How do I become trustworthy?

It is easier to trust others when you first learn to trust yourself - Higher self-awareness

Becoming more open, honest, and transparent, demonstrating accountability and responsibility, as a leader often means time spent on reflection. Reflection means that we gain a deeper understanding of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, even actions and this leads to a deeper understanding of strengths and weaknesses, simply becoming more aware of oneself.

An important issue here, from my point of view, is to understand my values and beliefs. Simply become aware of what's important to me, and what motivates my decisions. To understand your values and beliefs, consider the following steps:

• Explore your experiences. This is done by reflecting on your life experiences, especially those that had a significant impact on you. What values and beliefs did these experiences shape or reinforce?
• Examine your decision-making process. This is done by considering what is most important when faced with a challenge or decision, this can help you identify your core values.
• Seek new experiences and perspectives. This is done by trying new things, meeting new people, and exposing yourself to diverse perspectives to broaden your understanding of the world and challenge your beliefs.
• Reflect on your actions and behaviors. This is done by looking at how you act and what you prioritize in your daily life. This can help you identify unconscious values and beliefs that guide your behavior.
• Journal your thoughts. This is done by keeping a journal for your thought where you write down your reflections on your values and beliefs. This can help you clarify and solidify your understanding of them.
• Talk to someone you trust. This is done by talking of time to meet with someone you trust, with whom you can share and reflect on your experiences and beliefs and get an objective perspective that helps you gain deeper insight into your values and beliefs.

"Trust is not something that you have, it's something that you do."

?- Tim Fargo

All this is to say, that trust starts with oneself

Trusting oneself means having confidence in one's abilities, values, and decisions. When I trust myself, I am more likely to make choices that align with my beliefs and values, and less likely to doubt or second-guess myself. This foundation of self-trust can then serve as a basis for building trust in others. However, building trust in others requires effort and a willingness to be vulnerable, and it is a two-way street that requires mutual respect and honesty.

On top of increased self-awareness, trust is established through a combination of different factors, besides honesty and transparency, such as:

• Consistency and reliability. Keeping promises and being consistent in actions and decisions helps establish trust and predictability, making it easier for others to count on you as a leader.
• Competence and vulnerability. Be clear on your competencies, and vulnerable about what is out of your capability. These build trust by demonstrating your true expertise and ability to deliver results.
• Caring and empathy. Leaders who show concern for their team members, colleagues, and stakeholders, and who can understand their perspectives and needs, build trust through empathy and compassion.
• Empathy and Fairness.?Understanding and being considerate of others' feelings and perspectives, and acting fairly and impartially with others, treating everyone equally and without bias, builds trust by demonstrating that you are impartial and justice.
• Integrity and respect. Acting by your values and principles and treating others with respect, regardless of the situation, helps establish trust and create a positive and supportive environment.

As said in the beginning, trust is the foundation of all healthy relationships, whether they are personal or professional. Without trust, relationships are likely to be strained, ineffective, or even broken down. When we trust each other, we can cooperate and collaborate effectively and achieve our goals.

Trust is also essential for the stability and success of our communities and society. When we trust our leaders, institutions, and each other, we are more likely to work together and make progress toward common goals. Furthermore, trust is critical for innovation and creativity. When we trust each other, we feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things; and herby are we more likely to generate innovative ideas and solutions. Last, and not least. Trust helps us to provide emotional stability and security, which can improve overall well-being. When we trust ourselves and others, we are less likely to experience anxiety or stress and are more likely to feel confident and secure.

"Trust is not something that can be gained once and then kept forever.?

It must be continually earned."

?- Unknown