When it comes to leadership, if I could only have one thing, it would be the trust of those I lead.

Without trust, good leadership does not exist. While fear might force some to follow for a limited time, trust compels others to follow no matter the situation. Trust is what binds the relationship between leader and follower. Where trust is absent, so too is absent all the other qualities necessary for good leadership.

Without trust from others, we are not leaders.

Trust, of course, requires trustworthiness.

While others might give us a basic level of trust, the majority of trust is earned. It’s proven over time. It cannot be demanded or expected to be given at first sight. We must prove ourselves worthy of being trusted. This happens on several levels:

Knowledge. Do we have the cognitive ability to process relevant information, understand it, and act on it? Without this ability, we might be liked, but we will not be trusted. There are many areas of life in which I believe others should trust me, but there are also many areas in which I don’t even trust myself. Some things I do not have enough knowledge about to ever be a leader. In those areas, my job is to actually dissuade others from following me. (See: Every Great Leader Loves to Learn)

Courage. Having knowledge is one step, but without the courage to do what is right, a person cannot lead. We all know people who have the ability to lead but they lack the courage to put themselves out there in a leadership role. It takes courage to have an idea, say ‘this is right,’ persuade others away from a wrong direction, or risk putting your name or identity on something which could be wrong. Leadership is not easy; it’s a game only played by the brave. (See: Jesus, Leadership, and the Courage to Serve)

Transparency. Leadership requires us to reveal more of ourselves than some want. We have to show we are trustworthy which demands that we reveal things that non-leaders do not have to reveal. We must show our way of thinking, tell our story, confess struggles and hardships, reveal our weaknesses, all so that others can identify with us. A leader often lives in the spotlight and the spotlight always reveals places which some people prefer to keep hidden. (See: Communication Reveals Character)

Wholeness. Leaders don’t have to be perfect, but they do need to be whole. This is an absence of personal conflict. When spoken words match unseen actions, a person is whole. There is no internal divide; no hypocrisy. Since we all have imperfections, the concept of wholeness is best seen when an inconsistency is revealed. Bad leaders make excuses, deny accusations, and cover-up inconsistencies. Bad leaders want the appearance of wholeness without actually having it. Good leaders change. When a character flaw or mistake is revealed, they are grateful for the revelation and do the hard work of making the necessary changes. They care more about the reality of internal wholeness than the appearance of it. When a leader is pursuing wholeness, they are often worth following.

It’s Risky to Lead (or Follow)

For trust to be exercised, a leader must take risks. We will never know if trust is present unless a risk is taken. A challenge must present itself and a leader must arise to meet the challenge. They call others out of apathy and into action. This is always risky. It’s easier to remain hidden, to stay enfolded within the group, to take cover in numbers. Yet a leader chooses a different direction. They are willing to separate themselves and individualize themselves all for the well-being of the group.

Notice the inverse nature of leadership: a person who is thinking most about themselves and trying to protect themselves will stay hidden in a group while a person thinking most about a group and trying to protect the group may identify themselves individually in order to lead the group in the best direction. Of course this can also be done for selfish means. Just because someone tries to lead does not mean they are selfless in actions. Yet good leadership does require a submission of self for the well-being of others.

Leading requires risk. (See: Leadership–Learning to Take a Punch)

But so does following.

Followers must take risks as well. Their risk is to follow the leader even without being certain the leader is right or completely trustworthy. There is always risk in following a person, idea, or belief. Since outcomes are unknown, following a leader is an act of faith. We trust that they are knowledgeable, good-hearted, and right even though we can never know that for sure.

Following often means we are trusting others more than we trust ourselves. This requires great humility.

The risk of following is one reason some leaders never truly lead. In spite of their personal integrity, track record of success, and conviction regarding the direction one should take, some leaders never lead because they refuse to follow. Their distrust in others becomes a hindrance for others to trust them.

Few things cause us to distrust others as much as their unwillingness to trust us when we have earned it.

Trust is often a reciprocal relationship—unless it is given, it cannot be received.

This doesn’t mean we should blindly give trust in order to receive it. This does mean we must be willing to allow others to earn our trust even if we suffered in the past because others have abused the trust we gave them.

Good leaders know it is risky to trust others. They have likely experienced the hurt when others do not prove themselves as trustworthy. Yet they also realize without trusting others, they themselves will not be trusted and leadership will not take place.

If your level of trust is suffering from others, why? (See: What No One Ever Tells You About Being a Leader)

Are you lacking in one of the four areas upon which trust is built—knowledge, courage, transparency, wholeness? If so, how can you grow in those areas?

If not, is it possible others do not trust you because you do not trust them? Your distrust in them is causing them to show distrust in you.

Trust is a foundational aspect of leadership. Small pieces of it can be given but most of it must be earned.

A good leader is both trustworthy and trusting.