The Workplace Coach

Leadership is complex and there is an expectation that good leaders will display certain leadership traits. Vision, charisma, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence all play vital roles. However, beneath all these qualities lies one fundamental trait that serves as the bedrock of all successful leadership: credibility.

What Is Credibility in Leadership?

Credibility is the quality of being trusted and believed in. For leaders, it represents the alignment between what they say and what they do, between their promises and their actions. As leadership experts James Kouzes and Barry Posner note, “credibility is the foundation of leadership.” Without it, even the most skilled leaders find themselves unable to mobilise their teams or drive meaningful change.

The Slow Build: Establishing Credibility Takes Time

Building credibility is not an overnight process. It requires consistent, authentic behaviour over extended periods—often months or even years. The process begins with small, consistent daily actions that demonstrate reliability. When leaders consistently follow through on commitments, communicate transparently, and show genuine care for their team members, they gradually build trust.

Key factors that influence the timeline include consistency over time, authenticity, demonstrated competence, and transparent communication. Each positive interaction becomes a building block in the foundation of credibility.

The Fragile Nature: How Quickly Credibility Can Be Lost

While credibility takes time to build, it can be destroyed in an instant. A single act of dishonesty, a broken promise, or a moment of poor judgment can unravel years of trust-building efforts. Consider the numerous examples of leaders who become front page stories and have lost all credibility overnight for failure to take responsibility for their actions.

Common credibility killers include inconsistency between words and actions, lack of accountability, poor communication, and ethical lapses. The speed at which credibility can be lost highlights its fragile nature and the constant vigilance required to maintain it.

Why Credibility Matters: The Expert Perspective

Leadership researchers Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner emphasize that “Constituents do not owe leaders allegiance. Leaders earn it.” When leaders possess credibility, they unlock several powerful advantages:

• Influence Without Authority: Credible leaders can influence outcomes even without formal authority
• Faster Decision-Making: Teams trust credible leaders’ judgment, allowing for quicker execution
• Enhanced Team Performance: People go above and beyond for leaders they believe in
• Organisational Resilience: Credible leadership creates stronger, more adaptable organisations

“Your credibility is your most valuable asset.” 
– Gary Vaynerchuk

Building and Maintaining Credibility

For leaders looking to build or rebuild credibility, several strategies prove effective:

Be Consistent: Ensure your actions align with your words. If circumstances change, communicate openly about necessary adjustments.

Admit Mistakes: When you make a mistake, own it quickly and completely. This demonstrates integrity and strengthens credibility.

Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in your team’s perspectives. When people feel heard, they’re more likely to trust you.

Demonstrate Competence: Continuously develop your skills and stay informed about industry trends.

Show Genuine Care: Invest in your team members’ growth and well-being.

Communicate Transparently: Share information openly and explain the reasoning behind decisions.

The Path Forward

In a world where people are more job mobile, credibility becomes even more critical. As traditional positional sources of leadership authority become less important and personal authority and influence more relevant, credibility becomes the bridge that connects leaders with their teams across distances, differences, and uncertainties.

Leaders who prioritise building and maintaining credibility will find themselves better equipped to navigate challenges, inspire innovation, and drive results. Remember, credibility is not a destination but a journey requiring constant attention and unwavering commitment to integrity.

Building credibility may take time, but it’s the most worthwhile investment any leader can make. Without credibility, leadership becomes mere management, and true transformation becomes impossible.

We are here to help. Contact The Workplace Coach today, and let’s talk about how to make your own personal leadership style more impactful and build a personal brand that showcases credibility as just one of your leadership traits.