Build Trust by Extending Trust

Gaps happen in ministry relationships . . . gaps between our expectations of people and their actual performance.  This is true of formal supervisory relationships as well as with informal cooperative relationships.  My pastor, David Carothers, introduced me to Andy Stanley's presentation called "Trust vs. Suspicion."  Leaders can choose to fill the gap between expectation and performance with either trust or suspicion.  Filling gaps with trust is best.  Trust is built through quality fulfillment of clear expectations over time. People we lead tend to live up, or down, to the expectations that we communicate to them.  Extending trust sets a high standard fosters a culture of trust in the system.  Trust and high expectations become the norm, and gaps become the aberration.  How we as leaders address gaps says as much about us as leaders as it does about the gap itself.   Andy Stanley offers several commitments that leaders make to those they lead.  Practicing these commitments will solidify a culture of trust on a ministry team: ELEVATE:  I will believe the best about you. DEFEND:  When other people assume the worst about you, I will come to your defense. CONFRONT:  If what I experience begins to erode my trust, I will come directly to you to talk about it. COMMUNICATE/RENEGOTIATE: When I am convinced I will not be able to deliver on a promise, I will come to you ahead of time. CONFESS:  When you confront me about the gaps I have created, I will tell you the truth.  Questions for church leaders to consider: Am I a trustworthy person? Do I proactively address gaps that I create?  When others create gaps, do I typically extend trust or cast suspicion? --Rich Johnstone