As leaders we rely a great deal on trust and yet here are the quickest ways we break that trust.
And before you tell me, “But Sehaam, I don’t do that!” check yourself because the research tells us we all do it.
Lies and deception
It’s so pervasive and we have a propensity to lie, apparently 1-2 times a day, usually harmless excuses or lies to protect someone’s feelings or cover up our own insecurities. And we’re gullible. We’re not very good at detecting a lie, and sometimes we want to be lied to. But the top reasons we lie are to cover up a mistake, followed by financial and personal gain, to avoid people, and to create a better impression of ourselves.
Hidden agendas and nasty surprises
We do this by deception or distraction, we dodge questions, gate-crash meetings just so we’re seen, claim other people’s hard work as our own, or charm someone into being a scape-goat or owning a mistake.
False praise and compliments
We know it because our words don’t match our body language and facial expressions. You may think you’ve got away with it but no, the other person feels it.
Incompetence and absentee leadership
Incompetence is a major cause of distrust because, at a primal level, it puts our survival at risk. Absentee leadership is when you show up to work but don’t do very much. We certainly wouldn’t trust a boss like this to support us or advocate for us.
Blaming, finger-pointing and shaming
When we do this, we’re effectively stripping away someone’s dignity. These can be overt and public or they can happen in private.
Exclusion, intentional and unintentional
Intentional exclusion is the worst. We do it when we fear losing the opportunity to shine and claim the credit.
Misrepresentation or falsely claiming someone else’s work
People tell me they worry their boss will not represent them fairly at a meeting with important stakeholders and decision-makers. Or equally unsettling, that their boss or a peer might take credit for the work of their team.
And finally…
Disrespecting someone’s time and effort
Rocking up late to a meeting, missing the meeting without telling us, rescheduling at the last minute for no reason or a low priority reason. And equally not thanking someone for their time and effort. Costs nothing to say “Thank you.”
“Leaders Who Coach™ has been a game-changer for me. I wanted to feel much more confident that I have the tools to lead a conversation to long-term positive outcomes through a more human, empathetic approach — that telling someone to do something won’t. And I even found myself applying this at home, which was an unexpected bonus!”
— Troy Anthony, VP Customer Success, Amplience