Leadership Trust | How to Build Trust in Yourself & Your Team through Difficulties

The Visionary Chronicles

CHRONICLE: May 16th, 2024

EPISODE 155

Leadership Trust | How to Build Trust in Yourself & Your Team through Difficulties

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Everyone faces adversity. Having Faith and building Trust is at the core of many of the greatest generational, visionary leaders. Being or becoming a Visionary leader can be a lonely Journey. This Journey will provide many valleys and mountain experiences. In The Visionary Chronicles, I wanted to give a platform for professional success and personal support.

As an Entrepreneur or a Visionary leader, you take on the roles of the Visionary, a passionate believer, and ongoing support provider. Each role takes a toll on you professionally and personally, during good times and, most importantly, during difficult times. These are the days when the Journey becomes the hardest, and few can navigate successfully. Those who build Trust create a legacy, and those who do not lose Integrity, Trust, and the Passion for executing the Vision.

Most podcasts discuss leadership styles or principles, but few discuss the long-term benefit of building Trust for themselves and with their team.

Building Trust with yourself and team becomes even more crucial for effective leadership during difficult times.

Transparent Communication | Be open and honest about the team's challenges and potential organizational impact. Share information transparently, including successes and setbacks, to maintain Trust and credibility.

Proactive Listening | Take the time to listen to team members' concerns, ideas, and feedback. Demonstrate empathy and understanding, validating their feelings and experiences.

Lead with Integrity | Model integrity and ethical behavior in all actions and decisions.

Stay true to your values and principles, even in adversity, to build Trust and respect.

Provide Clarity and Direction | Offer clear direction and guidance to the team, outlining priorities and expectations during challenging times. Communicate a compelling vision for the future to inspire confidence and commitment.

Empower and Support | Empower team members by delegating authority and providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed. Offer encouragement and reassurance, showing confidence in their abilities to overcome challenges.

Celebrate ALL Wins | Acknowledge and celebrate small victories and milestones, no matter how insignificant they seem. This boosts morale and reinforces a sense of progress and accomplishment, even in difficult times.

Maintain Stability and Consistency | Provide stability and consistency in leadership during turbulent times. Avoid making sudden changes or knee-jerk reactions that could undermine Trust and confidence.

Build Resilience | Foster a culture of resilience by emphasizing adaptability, perseverance, and a growth mindset. Encourage team members to learn from setbacks and challenges, using them as personal and professional development opportunities.

Demonstrate Faith and Optimism | Express Faith and optimism in the team's ability to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger from adversity. Share stories of past successes and remind the team of their collective strength and ongoing resilience.

Lead with Vulnerability and Authenticity | During challenging periods, leaders should be transparent about the situation and their doubts or uncertainties. Admitting they don't have all the answers and being open about struggles builds Trust through authenticity. This authenticity can foster deeper connections and Trust among team members.

Communicate Frequently and Honestly | Trust is built through clear, consistent communication. Leaders should provide regular updates, even when the news is uncompromising. Being upfront about setbacks and changes preserves trustworthiness.

Remain Steady and Resilient | When things get complicated, Teams look to leaders as pillars of strength and perseverance. Remaining calm, focused, and resilient in the face of obstacles cultivates Trust in the leader's ability to navigate the crisis.

Uphold Foundational Principles | Sticking to your foundational principles, especially when tough choices arise, demonstrates integrity that nurtures self-trust and team trust. Leaders must "walk the talk" consistently.

Remain Accountable | Take responsibility for mistakes, follow through on commitments, and hold the team accountable, too. Practicing accountability nurtures trustworthiness.

By implementing these strategies, leaders can foster trust between themselves and their team, even during the most challenging times, laying the foundation for continued collaboration, innovation, and success.

By integrating these principles into their daily life and leadership practices, business leaders can create a positive and impactful work environment where Faith, integrity, and compassion are central to organizational culture and success.Top of Form

Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!

Enjoy the Journey!

Bryan Smeltzer, President

LiquidMind Inc.

#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast

#TheVisionaryBrandBook

@LiquidMindsite.com

@BryanSmeltzer.com

© All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024

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BRYAN SMELTZER

Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.

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THE VISIONARY CHRONICLES

He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.

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MENTORSHIP | BOARD MEMBERSHIP

He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.

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LIQUIDMIND

Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.

You can contact or follow him at;

emial | [e-mail]

Facebook | @bryansmeltzer33

Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer

X| @bryansmeltzer

LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/