Great Leaders Have a Firm Grip on Trust

As of January 2011, the longest handshake recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records clocks in at just a few minutes over 33 hours. And the record for most handshakes in a single day sits at more than 11,000. There is archaeological evidence that people have been shaking hands since at least the 5th century B.C. And, the gesture is thought to have originated among ancient soldiers as a sign of peace by showing that their hands were not holding weapons.

Today, a handshake can help seal a deal, make a new friend, show respect, congratulate a job well done, and perhaps most importantly, convey a sense of trust. And to be a leader, you must have a firm grip on trust.

Trust is a core component of great leadership and one of the most difficult to rebuild after it’s been broken.  A workforce will rally behind a leader they know they can trust. As the late world-renowned leadership guru Stephen R. Covey once said:

“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”

How do you inspire trust among your workforce? How has a great leader inspired trust in you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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