Session Content and Activities

Trust

Why is trust important?

People want to know that they can trust the people they are working with whether it be their clients, suppliers, staff, stakeholders or the boss. Trust plays a big part in our decision making process and helps us to clarify who we want to work with.

Trust is sometimes broken when you don't follow through with what we have committed to or have said we will do. Trust can be broken when we don't listen effectively, mislead others, are not authentic, are disrespectful or gossip about others. Repairing trust once broken is very important and can take some time. It is worthwhile though and can be well worth the sacrifice. Sometimes trust can be restored quickly and easily just by listening, caring and take appropriate action to restore the relationship. As a leader it is very important to develop trust with your stakeholders, staff, customers and suppliers. Any break in this trust can be very detrimental to the organisation.

Three types of trust

Calculus-based trust is a form of trust that is based on our ability to assess the other person's motivation to be trustworthy in-light of the negative outcomes and consequences they would experience if they were not trustworthy. This form of trust is also built on the basis of consistency. We observe someone doing what they say they will consistently over time while they are proving themselves trustworthy. This will apply to some of your relationships based on consequences in consistency.

Knowledge based trust this is based on the predictability of the other person to do what they say they will based on previous behaviour. This trust is built over time and will relate to most of your relationships and is based on consistent behaviour.

Identification based trust is a form of trust that is based on the individuals having a deeper understanding of each other's goals, dreams, objectives and purpose. Trust is therefore established because they share similar values, beliefs and/or vision for the future. This is the best form of trust and may relate to some of your relationships. You will want to identify with others values and goals.

Tips

• Keep your word

• Be consistent

• Be authentic

• Support others

• Communicate openly

• Listen attentively

• Be respectful

• Take responsibility

• Follow through

• Be honest

• Be accountable

Honour

To honour someone is to show them respect, to listen to their views, perspectives and ideas and to value their unique contribution. It is important to let them have their say, share their ideas and listen while I do so. Failure to honour those you work with and those you lead will eventually lead to a breakdown in the relationship. Showing disrespect to one team member may also have a detrimental flow-on effect as others find out and they lose respect for you.

Tips

• Don't gossip about others or slander them

• Listen to your teams contributions

• Respect their opinions views and values

• Do not reprimand or disrespect anyone in front of others on the team.

Respect

Respect is having a favourable consideration for yourself and others. Respect involves consideration for other people's privacy, physical space, belongings, viewpoints, philosophies, physical ability, beliefs and personality. Respect will generally involve an admiration and deep regard for an individual's good qualities and capabilities. While respect is considered to be one of the most important behaviours expected from someone's manager or employer, over half of employees express that they regularly experience a lack of respect from their boss. As a leader it is imperative to establish mutual respect with all of your staff/team.

Vision and purpose

To be an effective leader there must be a vision and a purpose to work towards.

Whether the vision belongs to the individual or be it the team or corporate vision, each person must believe in and understand the vision and purpose of the organisation. Vision is the mental picture of the destination or outcome that is desired. Vision helps us imagine what is possible and helps direct our steps towards achieving the goals and milestones. Purpose provides the reason for wanting to achieve the vision and outcomes. This is the ‘why we do what we do.’ It is why we work so hard and why we make the sacrifices. If we don't understand the reason for applying ourselves, we are less likely to do so. As a leader it is vitally important to ensure that each member of the team understands the vision of the organisation and the department and is aware of their own purpose. Those of the team who don't have a strong reason for being there will lack the drive and motivation to achieve and will eventually become disengaged, become less effective and less productive in their role. For most their role within the organisation is about more than just a pay check, it's about making an impact and this can only be measured against how the team is succeeding in achieving the vision and fulfilling their purpose.

Integrity

Integrity is key for developing a strong foundation for the organisation and the team. Integrity is a characteristic that sees us follow through on the things we commit to doing. Do the right thing even when it means making a sacrifice and showing consistency in how we conduct ourselves. A leader will soon loose the respect of the team if there is a lack of integrity shown. A good leader will lead by example and if integrity is to be expected from the team that needs to be demonstrated by the leaders of the organisation. They say that we like to do business with people we know, like and trust. If this is true then it's going to be important to operate with integrity so you can attract customers, stakeholders and suppliers.

Influence

Influence is one of the most important leadership abilities. To have influence with others means to carry favour with them, by adding value to their life in some way. Great leaders use influence to inspire others to take action. Leaders do this by sharing the vision and objectives of the organisation and finding ways to benefit the person to help and support the achievement of the objective. Influence can be gained by sharing your ideas, resources, time, credit for success, insights, experience and wisdom. It is important to create good connections with those you lead. This helps develop trust. Good clear and caring communication also really helps develop influence of others. Learn to lead by example and always follow through with what you promise.

Resilience

Life will bring it's challenges so we had better be ready for them and nothing will assist more than having the right attitude. As life becomes busier and more complicated it will be more important to build strength of will, attitude and perseverance. Resilience is the characteristic of pushing through the challenges in hard times while staying focused on the end goal. Often it is our goals and dreams that will help us keep going and pushing through. If we know where we're going and what we want to accomplish we’ll have a much stronger chance of staying the course and getting through the obstacles. Resilience can be simply a decision to never give up and to keep going no matter what the cost. Wisdom will tell us when this decision is appropriate. Resilience can be like a muscle, the more you flex it the stronger it becomes. Try exercising resilience to develop the muscle and prepare for the times you will really need it.

Self-discipline

Self-discipline is an important attribute to possess as a leader. Leadership requires sacrifices to be made and self-discipline will be needed to make these sacrifices. We generally know what we are to do and how to go about it… it takes self-discipline to actually do it and to apply ourselves to the task at hand, especially the difficult ones. If the leader is demonstrating self-discipline then the team are more likely to follow suit. You won't see an entire team working hard and applying themselves if the leader is not doing the same. Self-discipline requires commitment, purpose and focus and without these it will be a lot harder to find the willpower to stay the course and drive oneself to success.

Humility

We generally think that leaders who carry authority and power will always weld that power to get what they want, however there will often be times when a situation calls for humility to resolve the challenge. Rather than demonstrating authority, humility calls for us to be transparent, open and humble. This can often be very difficult so it will take willpower, determination and courage to operate at this level but the rewards will be well worth the effort.

Generosity

Generosity requires a certain level of empathy for others. It's one thing to give because there is a payoff but true generosity is based on a selfless act of giving to others. This includes a willingness to share your resources, time, knowledge and money. Showing care and concern for others and their well-being is an important part of leadership.

Diversity

Diversity in the workplace has never been more important than it is right now. Diversity provides strength and extends an organisations reach, capability and effectiveness. Diversity refers to a variety of race, religion, gender, generations, working styles and personalities. Diversity provides insight into others cultures perspectives and experience.

Inclusion 

Inclusion involves all members of the team being included and counted for their unique contribution. Inclusion has become a very important part of the workplace culture. The culture of an organisation is improved through both diversity and inclusion and this improves engagement and confidence across the company. This also instills a sense of well-being and a feeling of safety. This approach can also encourage open communication, innovation and creativity.

Conclusion

• Leadership requires character development, focus and consistent effort.

• Leadership will bring challenges, but we grow and develop in our capacity as we overcome those bumps in the road.

• Leadership can be fun and rewarding as we make a difference in the world.

Case studies

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Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

Activities

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Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

reading

Websites

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Books

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Summary

Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.

Phasellus sodales massa malesuada tellus fringilla, nec bibendum tellus blandit. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper. Donec eu est non lacus lacinia semper. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Quisque congue porttitor ullamcorper.