Trust in Safety
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
In a world where trust seems to be dwindling, creating leadership that can be trusted has become more important than ever before. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization, earning the trust of your followers is paramount for achieving success and fostering positive relationships. These relationships begin with safety. If your leader fundamentally does not care that you could come to harm, nothing else really matters.
Trust is the foundation of any successful leader-follower relationship. It is the cornerstone upon which effective communication, cooperation, and collaboration are built. A lack of trust between leaders and followers can result in conflict, miscommunication, and a breakdown of the teamwork that is essential to achieving organizational goals.
In order for leaders to be effective, they must first gain the trust of their followers. This can be done by displaying honesty, integrity, and respect when interacting with others. Leaders who are trustworthy are more likely to earn the respect and loyalty of their followers, which is essential for maintaining a positive and productive working environment.
Once trust has been established, leaders must then work to maintain it by continuing to exhibit these qualities on a consistent basis. If a leader breaks the trust of their followers, it will be difficult to regain it. Therefore, it is important for leaders to always operate with the highest level of integrity in order to maintain the trust of those they work with. The largest breach of trust comes from a lack of regard for the safety and wellbeing of the team.
There are four different types of trust: 1) cognitive trust, 2) emotional trust, 3) behavioral trust, and 4) structural trust.
1. Cognitive trust is based on the belief that the other person has the competence to do what they say they will do.
2. Emotional trust is based on the belief that the other person has good intentions and is looking out for your best interests.
3. Behavioral trust is based on the belief that the other person will act in a consistent and reliable manner.
4. Structural trust is based on the belief that the system or organization in which you are participating is fair and just.
Each of these types of trust is important in leadership because they provide a foundation upon which relationships can be built. If there is no trust, it will be difficult for leaders to get people to follow them.
