CREDIBILITY
Credibility is consistently one of the "top
three" characteristics people look for in a leader.
What are they really looking for?
They are asking:
- "Can I believe what you say?"
- "Will you keep me informed about what's
happening?"
- "Are your perspectives accurate, insightful,
based on values?"
To build credibility
- Share information:
- Equally
- Fully, except where it would breach confidentiality
- Share decisions pending
- The issue under discussion
- How it will be decided
- Share decisions made
- Reasons why
- Organizational values that are served by this decision
- Own your mistakes
- Listen actively and respond positively
- Say what you'll do, and do what you say
If you want to dig deeper:
James Kouzes and Barry Posner, Credibility,
Jossey-Bass, 2003. Kouzes & Posner's "Five practices
for exemplary leaders" is online at:
www.josseybass.com/cda/sec/0,,9644,00.html
Pamela Shockley-Zalabak, Fundamentals of
Organizational Communication, Allyn & Bacon, 2001.
|
|
