Leadership skills to regain confidence

Cultivating confidence is a key leadership skill. But what happens when we lose confidence? Specifically, when do we make a mistake, a big one, and people lose trust in us?

Trust has never been more important. There is a crisis of confidence in leadership. As we move from one Royal Commission to another, trust in public institutions and businesses is at an all-time low. Edelman Trust Barometer research of 34,000 respondents (February 2020) shows that Australians do not rate any institution as competent and ethical, with the media and government scoring worst on both scales. Corporate scandals like Rio Tinto’s destruction of 46,000-year-old rocky Aboriginal shelters (Khalil, September 2020) reinforce that leadership has a long way to go when it comes to trust.

Here are three ways leaders can work to regain confidence.

Leadership Principle: Trust is the practice of acting in good faith and living up to expectations.
Responsibility and atonement

When a mistake is made, admitting it and apologizing is the least that can be done. Some gaps are worthless, such as ancient Aboriginal rock shelters. The atonement and repairs show understanding and a desire to alleviate some suffering, although some damage can never be repaired.

Genuine humility and contrition

In cases where there is an imbalance of power, such as corporate giants and community stakeholders, leaders must admit their lack of perspective and judgment. True humility and remorse shows the potential to expand awareness and a willingness to learn.

Humility should be part of our leadership mindset
Compassionate curiosity

Leaders must expand their circle of concern from shareholders to stakeholders and beyond. When leaders want to know what others think, how they feel, how they perceive problems, the door opens to new conversations and insights. When we see more, we can lead better. Caring and honest concern invites others to share their point of view.

Trust is a gift that is freely given and easily lost. It may never recover. As leaders, we may eventually regain trust, but that depends on those from whom we seek redemption. The only way we can regain trust is to be worthy of that trust every day. Caring, humility, and compassionate curiosity are the daily commitments of a trustworthy leader.

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Related Articles on Leadership Skills

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A leadership skill you can’t do without

How to Lead in a Low Trust Environment

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