I read this blog post by Gapingvoid yesterday about Trust. In the post they share the story of Robert Goodman and Jesse Jackson and how Jesse freed Robert from Syria by changing the game – from one government against another, to one human fighting for the freedom of another.
Jackson had built his reputation as a humanitarian. One decision, one action at a time. The same is true for all of us.
Trust and reputation are created slowly – one decision, one action at a time, drip by drip. It is depleted in a hurry – one decision and one action as well, one choice, one shortcut, one moment of “convenience” over “character,” and the reservoir is empty.
If we want to be trusted and have a reputation of being a leader worth following, we need to be consistent with our words and follow them with the requisite action, day after day.
This is only possible if we fully believe what we say and have the courage to do what we believe in, while at the same time keep the larger good of the team we lead at the center of our thinking.
Consistency is the log and courage, the spark, that ignites and grows the fire that is trust.
