In my view the greatest attributes that a leader can possess – over and above being an accomplished and articulate communicator – are “integrity” and “transparency”. Both of these traits are instrumental in developing stakeholder trust, and the greater your integrity and transparency the more you will be trusted…particularly if/ when you “walk the talk” and do as you say.
Great leaders have no qualms about sharing information – they know what the positive consequences are of sharing relevant information with stakeholders…of “keeping stakeholders in the loop”. The first major positive consequence is that stakeholders start to see that you have nothing to hide…that you don’t have to be “second-guessed”, and that you are open to sharing your knowledge. The second significant positive consequence that occurs is that stakeholders feel more connected with you and the other decision-makers in the organisation…they truly feel a part of the journey. And related to this second consequence is, when stakeholders feel included on the chosen journey of an organisation they tend to take greater interest and pride in – and ownership of – the role that they’re performing…because they can see how they fit in the bigger picture.
Transparency breeds integrity…which in turn breeds stakeholder trust…and leads to stakeholders supporting a leader’s future endeavours/ proposals more readily.