Trust noun; a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.
The ability to create and maintain trust is an essential leadership soft skill which sets the tone for an organization and its reputation. Research from the Harvard Business Review Neuroscience of trust has shown that workers at “high-trust companies” experience 74 percent less stress, while also being 50 percent more productive. Yet, building trust is easier said than done, especially in high tech industries. We spoke with Libby Robinson, Master Coach and CEO of Integral Leadership and Coaching who uses a coaching model which views trust as a currency which we can invest in daily. This model emphasizes that trust is made up of 4 elements or domains.
Competency
Competency is just exactly what you think it is. "Am I competent at the thing that I'm promising you? And do I have the skill base, do I have the knowledge, the background, whatever I need to uphold my promises? »
Sincerity
Is what I say in public, or what I'm saying to my private group of friends and colleagues the same as what I’m thinking? People can very easily pick up on a « sales pitch », or if a person doesn't really believe what they're saying.
Reliability
Reliability is about shared standards. "Do I show up when I say I will show up? Do I do the things that I promised to do on time, consistently"? Sometimes, people are competent and sincere, but it might be as simple as not letting people know that a meeting has been canceled, or not showing up on time, if the standard is to be exactly on time.
Care
People often miss the category of care. Which is: "I might be competent, reliable, and sincere, but others only feel like you're doing this to get something out of it, « You need me, but you don't really care about me, » Caring comes through in your actions and words, in the way you speak.
The rapid advancement of technology and the ever-shifting dynamics of the high-tech industries can often create a chasm between leaders, employees, and external stakeholders. In such environments, trust becomes an invaluable asset. By breaking down trust into its fundamental domains - Competency, Sincerity, Reliability, and Care - leaders can evaluate their own strengths and areas for improvement. In the intricate and specialized world of life sciences, it's not just about understanding these domains, but also actively integrating them into daily interactions and decisions. Starting with self-awareness, leaders can cultivate genuine connections, ensuring that as technology advances, the human touch remains at the forefront of innovation.
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