Your trustworthiness is one of the few commodities that you have nearly full control over in terms of value. Establishing trust and continuing to make deposits into that relationship bank with someone else has lots of benefits – less stress, increased willingness from others to help, and an overall better working environment among many other things.
I think many of us strive to be leaders that are seen as trustworthy. We want our team to know and feel like they are cared and advocated for. We want our leaders to trust and empower us to do the job well. We desire our personal relationships to add value to who we are. Today, we are going to look at ways to help you stay true to your word as a trustworthy leader that others can count and depend on.
Determine your non-negotiables
Staying true to your word starts with understanding what those absolutes are in your life and how you show up to others. In a world full of gray, here are some areas to consider as you determine your personal non-negotiables.
- Integrity / Truthfulness
- Professionalism
- Productivity
- Responsibility
- Cooperation with others
- Reliability
- Discipline
- Commitment
- The “how” of your work
Taking a stand for your non-negotiables means more than just living those values and standards when it’s convenient and easy. It comes down to embodying them consistently, even in the storms of life or the alluring temptation at times to make a compromise.
The tension could show itself in most mundane things in your day. Let’s say truthfulness is one of your non-negotiables. During work, you round up all the data for a presentation to help prop up your perspective or you leave some data out that isn’t as flattering to what you are trying to get across to the person you are presenting to. It may seem like a silly thing to highlight, but compromising on your non-negotiables can lead to a slippery slope that leads you to a place where you would never see yourself.
Tips to not negotiate your non-negotiables
I doubt that many people out in the world wake up one day and just decide to throw away their moral and ethical compass. It usually happens in baby steps and you find yourself in a situation that you never imagined yourself in.
I learned this lesson in a leadership course in the military. We were dropped off in the swamp with nothing but a compass and a heading. The course was so long and winding that even walking off by one degree would mean that you had a good chance of missing your final destination. Three degrees? Guaranteed that you weren’t going to end up where you wanted to be. To stay on course, you needed to stop, check your surroundings, and verify that you were still on the right course. The same applies in life with your moral compass. You need to check in with yourself from time to time to make sure that you are on the correct heading. Failing to do those self-assessments may lead you to drift off of your desired path.
Some reminders on how to avoid negotiating on your non-negotiables:
Be transparent: Regularly communicate your core values and what everyday behaviors that embody them or violate them. It’s like your company’s values. If you keep repeating them and including them in other conversations, you are communicating what’s important for you and for others to follow.
Set boundaries: Clearly define which behaviors are acceptable and which are not within your team — especially the little things. Remember that minor things still matter (Show 461) When things go off the rails for other people who interact with your team, do a debrief with the person on your team who was involved in the interaction. Did they see the impact that the other person had when they strayed from their values? When a poor choice happens on your team, be sure to catch and coach it early so it doesn’t grow into a bigger problem.
Lead by example: Demonstrate your non-negotiables in action, showing that you don’t compromise on your beliefs. It’s rare that a person will rise above the level and expectation of their leader. It can happen, but do you want an environment where your team feels like they have to rise above your level of integrity?
Demand accountability: Establish an environment where everyone feels responsible and is rewarded for upholding declared standards. Call out the wins both publically and privately to celebrate a person who stands up for their non-negotiables and further, the impact by showing the challenge that they faced, how they handled it, and what the outcome was as a result.
The power of your commitment shines a light to others
Your non-negotiables do require a commitment. Sticking to that short list of things that make you a trustworthy leader strengthens your leadership in your circle of influence and creates a culture of mutual trust and respect. When you take a stand in these areas that are important to you, you are not only leading yourself well, you are also shaping and influencing how others should do their work as well.
Lean into the clarity that your non-negotiables offer and watch how they elevate your leadership and the cohesiveness of the larger team. Staying true to your word brings a deeper level of satisfaction to your success and will resonate with your personal values.
Additional resources
Building trust with a new team (Show 323)
Building trust when you are new (Show 307)
Are your morals for sale? (Show 166)
What to do when someone breaks your trust? (Show 275)
What to do when business relationships aren’t working (Show 423)
Showcase your work ethics (Show 311)
Your non-negotiables are the bedrock of your leadership and how you show up as a person. When you live and stand firm in your integrity you inspire others to do the same.
Make a better tomorrow.
-ZH
