By : Barbara Brooks Kimmel

Trust is the essence of leadership -- Colin Powell

Shared: From your friends TechAutoCareers.com® the online resource for the Automotive Sales Consultant

Let's face it, being a trustworthy leader and leading a trustworthy organization are not rocket science. There are two BIG problems with trust. The first is that it is not "regulated" and therefore, most leaders don't think about it. Trust is taken for granted. But just imagine if CEO compensation was tied to an annual trust audit!

The second problem is an outcome of the first. When trust is not practiced proactively or when a leader hasn't "banked" trust, he or she spends a good deal of time extinguishing fires and reacting to crises. Little to no time is left to build trust into the organizational DNA.

Regardless of the size or type of organization you lead, choosing trust as a business imperative means the strategy starts with you. Begin today by following these simple suggestions:

* Be honest: Once you tell a lie, nobody will believe anything you say.

* Be selfless: Put others before yourself- ask how you can help and mean it.

* Be humble: Park your ego at the door.

* Be inclusive: Celebrate and share the successes of others.

* Be accountable: Always keep your word.

* Be appreciative: Never forget the "Thank you."

* Be apologetic: Admit your mistakes.

* Be competent: It's okay to say "I don't know."

* Be consistent: Always lead the same way.

* Be patient: Take time to teach.

* Be persistent: Build trust into the daily agenda.

* Be open-minded: Sometimes change is good.

* Be positive: People like being around others who are.

* Be curious: Learn from others.

* Be risk tolerant: Innovation will flourish when people are allowed to make mistakes.

* Be transparent: Let others know what you are thinking.

* Be authentic: Don't be a phony.

* Be an enabler: Allow people to make independent decisions.

* Be human: Share personal stories with your team.

* Be fun: And finally, don't forget to laugh at your own mistakes and enjoy the journey with your team.

Our 2015 Weekly Activities for Increasing Organizational Trust poster was designed to bring trust into every organization next year. Why be stuck in a low trust "rut" for another year?

Barbara Brooks Kimmel is the Executive Director of Trust Across America-Trust Around the World whose mission is to help organizations build trust. She is also the editor of the award winning TRUST INC. book series. In 2012 Barbara was named “One of 25 Women Changing the World” by Good Business International.

What do you think? Is this something you can benefit from or do you have a few tricks up your sleeve that are just as powerful? Make your voice heard by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget to hit the share button if you know others who will find this post useful.

I.C. Collins ~ Author, Educator, Trainer and President: Has One Simple Goal: Improve a Million Automotive Sales Consultants Lives with our ebook "How to Succeed in the Automotive Sales Industry"

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