Day 16: Elevate Trust: The Blueprint for Unshakable Credibility

Did you know that it takes a minimum of two years to build a strong reputation of integrity and honor; but it only takes 7 seconds to destroy one?? Your goal as a Proverbs 31 leader is to consistently lay a foundation where you are known for your integrity with unshakeable trust and credibility.?

Welcome to Day 16 of our Proverbs 31 leadership journey! Yesterday, we delved into the vital role of courage in leadership and its impact on trust and credibility. Today, we're equipping you with actionable strategies to break free from the cycle of distrust and leadership failure to cultivate trust and credibility as an authentic leader of excellence.?

1.???? Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Courage requires stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking bold action in the face of uncertainty. Challenge yourself to confront your fears and push past self-imposed limitations. Whether it's speaking up in meetings, tackling a challenging issue, or dealing with a difficult individual, embrace discomfort as an opportunity for growth and transformation. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, who "girds herself with strength", dare to step into the unknown with confidence and conviction.??

2.???? Embrace Vulnerability as a Strength

Courageous leadership requires vulnerability—the willingness to show up authentically, share your struggles, and admit when you don't have all the answers. Take a page from the Proverbs 31 woman's playbook and embrace vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness. A significant part of stepping out of your comfort zone is letting your team members know the real you. ?I know for most that sounds scary??. However, by showing vulnerability, you create space for genuine connection and empathy with your team members, fostering higher levels of trust and collaboration.??

3.???? Don’t Be a Control Freak

Many leaders choose to take the “I’m the Boss” approach to leadership. These individuals have to always show that they're in control. No matter how hard their team members try, nothing is ever good enough and they tend to be more competitive with their team members than collaborative. This approached is the death toll to building a foundation of trust.? It will result in team members feeling less connected you as their leader, which will result in less engagement and productivity.? This undermines a leader’s capacity to build strong relationships with team members as well as with upline leadership.?

4.???? Demonstrate Empathy and Compassion

Empathy is a cornerstone of authentic leadership, enabling you to understand and connect with the experiences, emotions, and perspectives of others. Show genuine concern for your team members' well-being, both personally and professionally. Take the time to actively listen (with openness and interest), validate their feelings, and demonstrate compassion in your interactions. Although you will need to be careful in offering recommendations and advice, you should always be supportive when your team members are experiencing challenges with their responsibilities and in their personal lives.?

5.???? Foster Open Communication

Transparent communication is essential for building trust and credibility within your team. Purposefully create a culture of openness and honesty where team members feel valued, heard, and respected. Encourage feedback, address concerns openly and quickly, and provide regular updates on organizational goals and priorities. That means you must listen to your team members. Allow them to disagree with you and call you out if needed without repercussions, judgement, criticism, or harsh rebuke. Contrary to your popular belief...I guarantee you that you are NOT always right??. Follow in the footsteps of the Proverbs 31 woman, whose "mouth speaks wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."?

6.???? Empower and Delegate

If you want your team members to truly be committed to you and their fellow team members, they need to know you trust them. One of the best ways to show that level of trust is delegation. Encourage them to take ownership of their work. Give them a chance to lead major projects, allow them to feel part of the decision-making process, and give them opportunities to give suggestions for problem solving. When their contributions and suggestions make a difference or leads to successful outcomes, do not take credit for yourself. Give them their kudos!? Taking credit for yourself for what your team members do will lead to immediate distrust.?

7.???? Lead by Example

Authentic leadership is about leading by example, embodying the values and principles you wish to instill in your team. Just as the proverbs 31 woman strives to be an example for her family and her community, you must model integrity, accountability, and ethical behavior in your interactions with your team. Be consistent, reliable, and trustworthy in all you do. Don't waver! Be sure that what you say consistently align with what you do and how you treat others. When there is a disconnect between the two, your team will disconnect from you.? By leading with integrity and authenticity, you create a ripple effect of trust and credibility throughout your organization.

As leaders committed to unleashing your Proverbs 31 potential, you must embrace the challenge of cultivating trust and credibility. By implementing the strategies above, you can build a legacy of trust and credibility that inspires and empowers others to do likewise, and will result in a reputation as a leader who is honorable, credible, and who cares about your team.? Now that you know how to start building a trust foundation, tomorrow, we’ll address your role in leveraging trust to foster a culture of innovation and creativity within the team while maintaining the cohesiveness for team success.

Dr. Bre