A Leader's Credibility: Pillars of Trust and Effectiveness

The credibility of a leader is a very valuable asset. This is the foundation of trust built between the leader and his followers. When a leader has high credibility, it is easier to motivate the team, make difficult decisions, and achieve organizational goals.

 After reading the sentence above, of course you have an idea of the importance of credibility for a leader. Come on, understand more deeply to broaden your insight. 

What is Credibility?

Credibility is the view that a person is trustworthy, competent, and has integrity. In the field of leadership, credibility is the result of a leader's actions, behavior and communication that are consistent with the values he believes in.-=

Factors that Influence Leader Credibility

1. Integrity

Consistency between words and deeds: A credible leader always tries to keep his promises and act according to the values he believes in.

Honesty: Honesty is the foundation of integrity. Leaders who are always honest will gain the trust of other parties.

Ethics: Leaders who have a personality in the form of high ethics will always act correctly and fairly.

2. Competence

Skills: Competent leaders have the knowledge and skills needed to carry out their duties as leaders to achieve their goals. 

Experience: A leader who has a lot of experience will make himself learn from success and evaluate every mistake. From this experience you will gain relevant knowledge to increase the credibility of a leader.

Results: Achievements achieved by leaders will be proof that their competence is not in doubt by other parties including interlocutors or business partners. 

Belief in oneself: A leader who is always confident in his abilities and understanding of knowledge can easily inspire others.

Clear vision: Leaders who have a clear vision will find it easier to convince others to follow suit. Like a management graduate who provides input to street vendors to choose a strategic trading location. 

Decision-making ability: Leaders who have high self-confidence will not hesitate in making decisions. For example: A farmer group leader gives directions to his members to plant mustard greens and cucumbers in November and late November because in December the price of vegetables will soar. 

4. Openness

Listening: Open leaders will always listen to input from others. A leader's openness in receiving input, suggestions and criticism from the people around him is able to attract interlocutors and enemies to work together and follow him. 

Transparency: A transparent leader in communicating and sharing wa

5. Consistency

Stable behavior: A leader who carries out his duties continuously will be more easily predicted and trusted by the people under him. 

Strong values: A leader who has strong values will be a guide for the leader in acting.

6. Justice

Fair treatment: Fair leaders in making decisions tend to treat everyone equally without distinguishing between one and the other.

Impartiality: An impartial leader will make decisions based on facts and not on personal interests. This means that a leader who has high credibility will be more objective in working, communicating, and being professional as a leader who manages his subordinates.

7. Vision

A clear goal: A leader who has credibility certainly has a clear vision, so that he is able to inspire others to work together towards the same goal. Therefore, the importance of communication must be established early on so that the process of recognition and gaining trust from others can ultimately work together with us in the future. The ability to articulate the goals of a leader who is able to articulate the vision clearly and more easily understood so that later he will get support from other parties.