How to put trust at the heart of everyday leadership

Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose, but is a must-have for success and survival of organizations and leaders. Trust is critically important–92% of business executives, 92% of consumers and 94% of employees agree that organizations have a responsibility to earn trust, according to PwC’s latest Trust Survey.

I spent some time recently at 普华永道 's Trust Leadership Institute Trust Academy in Washington, D.C. where I had the chance to sit down with academics, executives and others who shared with me their unique views on trust and success. I learned a ton and I’m excited to share a few of my top trust takeaways:?

You can build trust by pushing back?

Pushing back and offering a different perspective is an opportunity to earn trust. Daniel Mutzig , Partner, Managing Director and Carlyle's Global Chief Audit Executive discussed his thoughts on how pushing back doesn’t necessarily erode trust. Open, candid dialogue can foster trust.

Building trust is all about looking towards the future?

To earn trust and deliver on organizational goals, leaders need to be future focused. Sue Gordon , former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, shared a great perspective with me on how leaders can share a vision of the future that allows everyone to understand the objectives while also feeling empowered to achieve those objectives in their own ways.

Trust should be an intentional investment?

An effective way to make trust a key facet of an organization is to treat it as an intentional investment. Sandra Sucher , Harvard Business School Professor and author of The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, and Regain It, and I discussed how leaders should consider making a plan that outlines how trust will be earned and achieved, including setting specific dollar amounts towards each trust focused investment.

Trust can be built even during some of the most difficult times?

It may be difficult, but it is possible to build trust with stakeholders during some of the most challenging times at an organization, including during layoffs. Kathy Nieland , PwC partner and leader of PwC’s Trust Leadership Institute, shared that understanding individuals’ motives and perceptions can help build trust during the layoff process.

I’m excited to take these learnings and use them in my everyday actions. And, watch a replay of PwC’s Trust in Action webcast series, where I spoke with General James Mattis, Secretary of Defense (2017-2018) and author of the New York Times bestseller, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead, about lessons in trust-based leadership.