People often wrongly assume that being in a position of authority will automatically make them trustworthy. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Positional Power is the weakest kind of power, because it only relies on your status, and not who you are. If you want to become a trustworthy person–the kind of leader that others will follow into battle–you need to develop your Referent Power.
Referent Power
Referent Power doesn’t come from your status or position, but it is determined by consistent behavior drawn from your values. This is the kind of person who follows through on their word and who has proven themselves to be able to handle responsibility and steward their freedom well.
There are six pillars of Referent Power: six areas of your life to build consistency in to live from your values. The goal is not to attain perfection in every area, but to steward well the resources you have been given in each area.
Pillar One: Physical
Your physical appearance is the first thing that someone will take note of when they meet you. Stewarding your Physical Pillar involves taking care to present yourself well to others through your dress and hygiene.
Pillar Two: Financial
Someone with a strong Financial Pillar is not the same as someone who is rich. Rather, strengthen your Financial Pillar by budgeting and saving so that you can be generous, no matter how much money is in your bank account.
Pillar Three: Social
Your Social Pillar has to do with how you interact with others. Someone who interrupts others and stirs up conflict has a weak Social Pillar. Strengthen your Social Pillar by listening well and learning how to ask good questions.
Pillar Four: Spiritual
No matter what you believe, everyone has a Spiritual Pillar, because we are spiritual beings. Strengthen your Spiritual Pillar by investing in your community, developing habits of spiritual disciplines like prayer, and serving others.
Pillar Five: Mental/ Emotional
Your Mental/ Emotional Pillar has to do with your mental and emotional intelligence. A person with a strong pillar will be someone who seeks to learn and improve their knowledge, seeks the truth, and knows how to read other’s emotions and direct their own in helpful ways.
Pillar Six: Family/ Team
Finally, the Family/ Team Pillar demonstrates your ability to connect and interact with others. Someone with a weak pillar in this area will be self-centered and have a spirit of competition with those around them. Strengthen your Family/ Team Pillar by cultivating a Create-Something Culture in your organizations, showing kindness and compassion, and having humility on a team.
Trust is not automatic based on position or status. Rather, it is earned by proving yourself to be a trustworthy person. Look at the above list again and identify two to three pillars that you want to strengthen to become a person of integrity that will be worthy of trust.
Gracie McBride is the Content and Systems Development Coordinator at The Crossroad.
