How do you build trust?
Matt Carter believes it is through relationships. This isn’t done in the heat of the moment or in the middle of crunch time but outside the normal day to day grind. To get outside the church walls and have relationships creates a kind of trust that can’t be duplicated. It doesn’t happen overnight and it isn’t quick, but trust must be built between you and those you lead. This allows you capital in their lives when the going gets tough and you must press on through.
As we are discussing leadership and gaining trust through legitimate means, ect. I have to say that this is almost purely relational leadership. It is about mutual trust and mutual understanding. Within Matt’s response was that there was a trust that occurs in the midst of hardship. To me this also reveals a shared vision. If I need to put something I want to do on hold in the heat of the moment and do for you it is usually much easier if there is common vision. Relationships could be better understood as being on the same team. I might not be friends with those around me but if I understand that we are all working towards a common goal it becomes easier. I don’t know if the relationship or friendship that Matt is talking about is more of a friendship but a structured relationship. I don’t think it takes away from the necessity of pouring into that relationship to ensure trust occurs
Got it.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your post Nathan. I think that oftentimes we wait, I wait, to build strong relationships when difficulties come. Unfortunately, what happens is that we realize we have no relational equity to withdraw from. There are obvious parallels between our relationships with those we lead and our relationship with God. That aside, we must be intentional in our day to day interactions that we are finding common ground, as well as ways to encourage those we lead. As you said Nathan, there must be a mutual trust and understanding that has been established prior.
ReplyDeleteDifficulties can deepen relationships and even forge new ones, but oftentimes, when we encounter difficult situations involving those we lead with, what that relationship has been made of, is exposed. The idea of sharing a common vision being a unifying ground is an interesting one. You may not be a “friend” of a teammate but you can rally around a common vision and respect the other for their pursuit of its fulfillment. I have found this to be true on athletic teams as well as academic pursuits. Putting aside differences for the pursuit of a common good.