CREDIBILITY CAPITAL
CREDIBILITY capital comprises the basis of acceptability of a person’s leadership. It comprises influence factors that affect followers’ perceptions of their leaders. Most leaders start with a certain credibility capital. However, due to mismanagement, ma
There are many ways a leaders can increase his credibility capital.
Practise what you preach
It has been said that an acre of performance is worth the whole land of promise. Nothing is more common than running into managers who preach the virtues of good management practise. While many expound the latest theories of management, few actually practise what they preach. We have managers who extol the importance of fairness but practise favouritism. Others pronounce their belief in empowerment and yet micromanage everything. Only leaders who are congruent of what they say and do increase their credibility. It is this credibility that provides their effectiveness in getting things done through people.
Be consistent
The fastest way for one to lose credibility is to practise double standards. Those who show favouritism quickly lose respect from their subordinates. Most employees want their superior to stick to the rules of the game. They feel most uneasy when the rules are changed in midstream. A manager’s inconsistency in treating people creates a sense of doubt, distrust and injustice in the work place. His credibility diminishes.
On the other hand, managers with a consistent set of principles win the trust of his people. He instills a sense of stability and control. He inculcates a sense of “master your own destiny” feeling in his subordinates. Such a manager possesses the power to influence and win people over.
Increase your knowledge and expertise
Subordinates look up to their leaders for direction and guidance. Managers are often perceived as having more wisdom, knowledge, expertise and experience. Managers who do not continue to learn and keep up widening their knowledge and expertise will loose their credibility with regard to their leadership. It is disheartening for subordinates to follow someone who they deem as less knowledgeable. A good manager must continuously update himself on the latest trends in the industry and key issues in the various operational as well as strategic areas. It is Lao Tsu who said: “By staying present and aware of what is happening, the leader can do less and yet achieve more.”
Be in control of yourself
To be worth his salt, a manager must first be able to manage himself before he could govern others. Subordinates assess the capability of a manager by first assessing how well he manages himself. Self-control is a form of discipline, which can give tremendous credibility to a manager. Too often we come across managers who knows all the rules of what good management should be.
But lo and behold rolls in one uninvited crisis, the normally cool manager becomes irritated and he starts yelling at his staff in front of everybody. To increase his credibility capital, a manager must come across as being totally in charge of others as well as of himself.
Develop the “can do” attitude
The working environment is full of people who put the blame on everything and everyone except themselves. They will provide you a long list of reasons why they cannot do things:
“This is beyond the scope of my responsibility.”
“We do not have the necessary resources.”
“I am not adequately trained.” “We cannot do much except to wait and see.”
“I did not do it because no one told me to.”
“Sorry, I cannot solve your problem. I only work here, I do not own the company.”
Managers who adopt such an attitude is sure to quickly lose the respect of their staff.
On the other hand, people are always impressed with someone who possesses a positive mental attitude. This is especially so when we come across people who always have a “can do” attitude despite adverse circumstances. Thus, we have managers who says, “I believe we can do it” or “That’s not a problem”. Managers with the “can do” mentality win the admiration and commitment from their subordinates.
Be fully committed towards a goal
The higher the commitment a leader has towards his work, the greater credibility he has with his subordinates. The reality is that followers will sense if commitment is lacking in a leader despite what he says. Leadership can only be as effective as the will of the leader. The will of the leader is determined by the leader’s commitment towards the goal he has set for his team.
Uphold a high level of professionalism
A leader can lose all his credibility capital overnight if he involves himself in scandalous or any other unethical behaviour. Integrity is the most distinguished characteristic of professionalism. A leader with a high degree of professionalism cannot be bribed. His influence cannot be bought or traded. He would not sacrifice his moral principles at the risk of losing his credibility capital.
As organisations strive to compete in the increasingly challenging global environment, it is imperative to have people who can lead effectively. To be able to do so, organisations must ensure that their leaders develop their credibility capital. A first-rate leader is someone who can touch the mind, heart and soul of his followers. To be able to do so, a leader must develop his credibility capital.