One of WBC’s leadership directors puts it simply: “Good leadership starts with trust. But leaders have to earn trust — and if they don’t, team performance will fall dramatically.”
WBC has developed a model to help leaders and team members build trust in themselves and with one another.. It’s called CREST and it has five elements:
- Credibility. Having the experience, skills and qualifications others expect – often these will be the hard skills.
- Reliability. Earning a reputation for delivering on and exceeding expectations. For your actions to match your words.
- Empathy. Understanding and respecting others’ needs and values.
- Safety. Creating a culture where it’s okay to take risks and speak up.
- Time. Creating time to make connections and consistency of actions and behaviours over time.
When you have a moment of quiet time to yourself, make a note of:
- Credibility – List the qualifications, experiences and stories that give you credibility in your role. Note any gaps you may want to address.
- Reliability – Identify one example where you delivered on a promise and one where you didn’t. Reflect on what caused the gap and what you might do differently next time.
- Empathy – Review what you’ve done to understand others’ wants and needs. Note any moments where you may have overlooked or dismissed them.
- Safety – Find two examples: one where you created a safe environment for others to speak up or take risks, and one where you didn’t. Consider what influenced each situation.
- Time – Assess how you currently make time for others and build connections. Identify where greater consistency or presence might help.
This simple reflection is often the catalyst for stronger relationships, greater confidence and a deeper foundation of trust across your team.
For details of our course, Trust in Action: Unlocking Potential for Growth please click here.
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