I saw this filed on my notes to read. I remember my boss read this to me. It's something we need during those days, something we need to let our colleagues understand.
Being a leader means building trust. It also requires developing a thick skin.
Here’s the thing: Leading isn’t for the thin skinned. Just the opposite: It requires the thick skin we all have, yet might not have discovered. When you’re really leading, you’ll constantly discover your thick skin while learning more about yourself.
We have to learn to trust ourselves before we can expect others to trust us. It’s only when others believe and trust us that will follow us. Earning trust is the starting point for any leader who expects others or be ready, willing and able to follow him. What is trust?
There are numberous ways to define trust. I think of trust as the glue that keeps relationships connected or, in the absence of trust, disconnected. Leaders can’t afford to have disconnected reaplationships.
----------------------------------------------
Excerpts from Leadership Lessons, Bed Times November 2009
