You would expect the ‘usual suspects’ like purpose, wisdom, humor, humility, vision.

But it seems that the people gave a clear picture of what they want and need from the most influential leaders in their lives.

Here’s the list:

1. Trust

2. Compassion

3. Stability

4. Hope

Trust was on the top of the list.

One of the people that were interviewed said, “The truth is your bond- you die keeping your promises.  If you send the message that your word is not worth much, you’ll be paid back on that.”

The research revealed that “the chances of employees being engaged at work when they do not trust the company’s leaders are just 1 in 12.”

In stark contrast, the chances of employees being engaged at work are better than 1 in 2 if they trust the leadership of the organization.

Trust increases speed and efficiency in the workplace.  As Steven R. Covey would say in his book, “Nothing is as fast as the speed of trust.”

Best Buy’s Brad Anderson says “the key to building trust is being authentic, even if that means letting people see his flaws.  As a leader, he feels no choice but to be very candid – even when delivering difficult news – because that’s the only way to build trust.  It is the most cherished and valuable commodity in a work environment.”

More on the other 3 in my next post.

People can follow because of titles.  They can follow because of incentives.  Others will follow because they might get fired.  Some will follow because of your position.  But people love to follow people they trust.

Daniel was trustworthy.  People falsely accused him and did their best to discredit him yet they couldn’t.

Daniel 6:4 says that “he was trustworthy… neither corrupt nor negligent.”

2 Things that break trust:

1. Saying one thing and doing another.

Corruption in not just about taking someone’s wealth.  The dictionary defines it as someone who is dishonest, unprincipled and crooked.

When we say one thing, do we do something different hoping people won’t notice?  When we do that, we break trust.  The truth is, it’s in the little things that people see that actually erode trust.

2. Saying one thing and not doing it.

Daniel did what he always did.

In fact, King Darius’ question showed Daniel’s consistency.

“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, WHOM YOU SERVE CONTINUALLY, been able to rescue from the lions?”

When we say one thing and not follow through, that too breaks trust.

Daniel was trustworthy because he was neither corrupt nor negligent.

As a result, the Bible says that he “prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”