by William “Bill” Brashers, Ph.D., Featured Contributor
[su_dropcap style=”flat”]L[/su_dropcap]AST TIME WE EXPLORED what it might take to win a follower. Remember: no follower, no leader. Your company can make me your manager, but it can’t make me your leader. When do I become your leader (if I do)? I become your leader if and when you choose to follow me. Not before, and not unless.
We know that followers follow leaders because leaders make it “worth it” to the follower —in ways besides (but including) dollars. Great, we’re there. Now for another crucial factor: Trust.
OMG. How many times have you heard that word raised amongst your employees? If you haven’t heard this, you need to get out more (or you understand leadership so well you could teach it).
Ask yourself this question: “Would I follow someone—from the heart – that I didn’t trust?” Not “obey to get my pay.” We all have to do that sometimes. But would you follow someone from the heart that you didn’t trust? Think about it…. probably not. Nobody would. So the question arises, “Who do we trust?” Some say, “Those with Integrity.” But how do you define integrity? “Doing what you say you’ll do.” Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to skin you alive, and hang you from your heels… and then I do it. Trust me? Didn’t think so. Wrong criterion.
Who do we trust? I know, we both got the “vinegar and honey” speech when we were eleven. I was 45 before I heard this, though. I submit it for your consideration… what do you think? Is it not true that:
We trust people who’ve shown a pattern of helpfulness to us, and we distrust those who haven’t.
True, no? In a world where everyone is looking for magic keys, here’s a great big one. Helpfulness wins followers; helpfulness grows followers; helpfulness retains followers… and builds trust
Want to be a Leader? Want real followers? Want to be trusted?
GET HELPFUL. STAY HELPFUL.
After all, if you’re not choosing to be helpful, what are you choosing to be? Obviously not helpful … if it’s “not helpful,” it’s not helpful. How’s that helpful?
Thanks William – great post, and the conclusion is rich in meaning. “Get helpful, stay helpful” expresses the consistency and lack of contradiction that is the essence of integrity, and therefore the generator of trust.