Trust and Leadership in Crisis
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Trust and Leadership in Crisis

Times of crisis are an excellent opportunity to demonstrate leadership. In a crisis, leaders and their organizations have a unique opportunity to build trust when their employees feel vulnerable. 

President George Bush was most trusted during one of our most challenging times in recent history: 9/11. During this time, citizens who did not vote for him, or support his policies, rallied around his leadership because he evoked trust. 

A lack of trust will make you lose your biggest fans and fuel the fire of your adversaries. Leaders today must work (smarter) to inspire people, organizations, and communities. 

More than ever, people are wondering:

  • May I trust you?
  • Can I trust the news? 
  • Do I trust that leadership cares about ME?
  • How do I stay connected to something greater than my current reality? 

A connection is also key to building trust. Connecting to the people we lead and the people we love. Paraphrasing a Stanford study, what a remote employee gains in productivity, they often miss in creativity, thinking, and connection. Connection signals safety and trust.

 A few tips for intentional connection:

  • Maintain relationships via virtual small group/team meetings. This creates a sense of belonging and virtual camaraderie.
  • Create a cadence for (individual) one-to-one check-ins. Ask How they are doing and listen to what they say.

As leaders, we are expected to exemplify high charactercompassion, and competency Being intentional with the team you serve will preserve a connection to something greater than just the current reality.

We cannot solve all things; however, maintaining and building trust is one place to begin.  

Let me hear from you, How are you staying connected and leading? Your insight is valuable.

Milton Dodd is a fan of leadership, developing others to reach their God-given potential. He believes in calling out the best of what he sees in individuals and guiding them to the finish line. His belief in the importance of leadership is epitomized in this quote.

"Leadership, good or bad, is like a large stone dropped in a body of water. It ripples well beyond the entry point." - Milton Dodd

#leadership #development

Walter Bond

Keynote Speaker l Business Advisor l Author l Coach

4y

Great article! We are meeting daily and going deep into improvements that will make us better in the long run.

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Kevin D. Wright

CEO / COO & Board Director | $240M+ Growth Leader | Inclusion Champion & Keynote Speaker

4y

Many great points packed into this quick read. Relationship and connection move at the speed of trust. During this time of unrest and "physical distancing" we must be vigilant in ensuring though we don't share physical space, we maintain connected community. The sometimes rote "How you doing?" without actually tuning in, will not be enough. We have to be sure to listen harder and be more attentive to the needs of the people we lead and love. To answer your question Milton, that's a simply way that I am leaning in to those I lead and love as we get to the new normal.

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Neal Millsaps

Empowering Christian CEO's & Business Owners to Build Great Businesses for a Greater Purpose

4y

Well said Milton D.

Andrea Ponto

Marketing Strategist driving growth through connected, intentional, experiential marketing leadership

4y

Very true Milton D.. We need to look to our peers, team and mentors to help refuel. I’m mostly missing the personal conversations that help us build more human connections vs professional dialog.

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