As expected, many leadership attributes begin with the letter T. Worthy contenders for the winning T-word include the following: TACTFUL, TEACHABLE, TEAM-ORIENTED, TEMPERATE, TENACIOUS, THANKFUL, THOUGHTFUL, TIMELY, TIRELESS, TOLERANT, TOUGH, TRANSPARENT, TRUSTWORTHY, and TRUTHFUL. Notice, I included TACTFUL, but not TACTICAL. From my previous post, leaders must be STRATEGIC.
Bosses don’t need to be TACTFUL. It’s helpful if leaders are. Likewise, those who believe they know everything won’t be exemplary leaders; they need to be TEACHABLE. Former CEO at Tyson Foods, Donnie Smith, reminded my students, “the answer is always in the room.” Being TEAM-ORIENTED is essential, as are the remaining T-word contenders. However, among them TRUSTWORTHY stands apart—it’s my winning T-word. (Too bad no one submitted the winner.)
In Why It Matters, you’ll find the word TRUST occurs more than 60 times. Interestingly, when I asked students in my leadership course to identify essential attributes in an exemplary leader, trust wasn’t among the most cited. Honesty and integrity were.
In discussing leadership values and attributes, I note, “Trust is a necessity for exemplary leadership. Once it is lost, it’s difficult if not impossible to regain. People might say they forgive you for violating their trust, but they will never forget it. Trust is not given. It must be earned.
“In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni nails it. The five dysfunctions are the absence of trust, a fear of conflict, a lack of commitment, the avoidance of accountability, and an inattention to results. As Lencioni notes, trust establishes the foundation for a team. Without it, a team crumbles.
“General Mattis observed in Call Sign Chaos, ‘Trust is the coin of the realm for creating the harmony, speed, and teamwork to achieve success at the lowest cost.’ He pointed out that trusting people is important, but letting them know and having them believe you trust
them is far more important.
“Trust is a function of truth and speed. Communicating good news and bad news quickly and accurately enhances trust. Too many leaders have used carrier pigeons to deliver good news and snails to deliver bad news. [Former Walmart CEO] Mike Duke told the students in the leadership class they should let bad news travel faster than good news.
“When banker Reynie Rutledge met with the leadership class, he said the scariest time in his life was the 2008 recession. He also reminded them, ‘It takes a heartbeat to lose trust.’ Trust can be very fragile. It’s like a crystal ball you dare not drop. Like Humpty Dumpty, it’s unlikely you’ll ever be able to restore trust to its original shape and size.”
I also point out, “Trust is a two-way street. If you want people to trust you, then you must trust them. Leaders trust others to perform their duties. Leaders trust but always verify.”
Regarding being TRUTHFUL, I note, “Saying one thing and doing another destroys trust.” I also point out, “Keep in mind Peter Drucker’s advice from Managing the Nonprofit Organization: “Make sure to listen—but also make sure to take action on what you hear and learn.” Listening and not acting is guaranteed to dampen inputs in the future. It’s also a way to destroy trust in a leader.”
Next: Leadership ABCs—U
Rules for the game to receive a signed copy of Why It Matters: 1) limited to U.S.A. mailing addresses; 2) limited to a single selection for the word; 3) cannot submit entry sooner than one week before the blog is posted on LinkedIn; 4) be the first correct entry I receive; and 5) send entries to me at johnaustinwhitejr@gmail.com. The earliest you can submit your U-word entry is 12:00 am, EDT, May 6, 2026; the latest time is 12:00 am, EDT, May 13, 2026.
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[i] John A. White, Why It Matters: Reflections on Practical Leadership, Greenleaf Book Group Press, Austin, TX, p. 41. [ii] Ibid, p. 42. [iii] Ibid, p. 60. [iv] Ibid, p.66.