Think about your own personal experiences with individuals you have considered being great leaders. These relationships you enjoy with them have much to teach you about the difference that people can make in your life and in the lives of others. Take a moment to think of a time when you willingly followed the direction of someone you admired and respected as a leader… what was the situation? What three or four words would use to describe how you felt when you were involved with this person? What leadership actions did this person take to get you and others to want to perform at your absolute best? What were the leadership behaviors of this person that you admired?
My personal experience brings me back to an individual I worked with many years ago. He always had some kind of new project for me to work on. He always seemed to know what was coming next, something new, something interesting and something different to do. He taught all the time, all the time. Just in general conversation he was teaching me something, so there was always an opportunity to learn. He was scrupulously honest so that I had a genuine trust in him, and I knew that he would never cause me to be in a situation where I’d sacrifice my ethics or my own personal values or standards. He totally trusted me to do my job, wanted to hear feedback and was always available to help problem solve. To me, he epitomized credibility.
Earning credibility is an activity a constant activity, a belly to belly activity. Credibility is gained in small quantities through physical presence. Great leaders have to be physically present, they have to be visible and they have to get close to their peers to earn their respect and trust. Leaders who are inaccessible cannot possibly expect to be trusted just because they have a title. Credibility is earned via the physical acts of shaking a hand, leaning forward, stopping to listen, and being responsive. Let me ask this question again… Who, in your life, do you believe to be a great leader? Perhaps, people see you as a great leader. Just remember, it all starts with credibility.
Have a great weekend.
