How to Establish and Maintain Credibility

Hello!

Do your peers, customers, family and friends find you credible? To be considered credible, people must find you to be trustworthy and an expert on the subject at hand. Building trust is the most critical component for establishing and maintaining credibility. If people have a difficult time trusting someone's character, they will struggle with developing compatible professional and personal relationships. Trust is like the foundation of a house. Without the foundation, the house will not have its primary support in place; consequently, the house (relationship) will collapse. Having expertise on a topic, may make someone the go-to person but without the behaviors that build trust, credibility will not be fully established or maintained.

Since developing trust involves demonstrating positive character traits in behaviors, it usually takes time to establish. In some situations, building trust can happen quickly like when someone jumps into a situation and swiftly delivers positive results. It can also erode in a heartbeat when someone's actions show disrespect towards others and a lack of accountability.

Behaviors That Build Trust:

Makes actions match words; follows through and keeps their promises.
Possesses a successful track record of achievements and establishes themselves as an expert in the subject at hand.
Communicates clear and consistent goals, expectations and standards.
Listens with empathy; understands other perspectives, validates people, and asks questions to show interest and eliminate false assumptions.
Makes an effort to show genuine sincerity and concern for employees as individuals.
Maintains confidentiality and stays out of the gossip circuit.
Approaches rather than ignores tough conversations and situations.
Is approachable and open-minded.
Thinks and responds with a growth versus a fixed mindset.
Acts authentically and is likable.

As the above behaviors are demonstrated, credibility is established and maintained. When credibility is maintained, high-performance teams emerge and personal relationships are strengthened, deepened and healthy. Work on developing your credibility by demonstrating trusting behaviors and watch others follow. Be the role model to bring greater success to your work teams, family team and yourself. It's never too late to be how you could have been.