Trust Takes 3 Skills

In yesterday’s post, I explored how interpersonal character mistakes can erode trust in leadership. Today, I want to expand on that idea by discussing the skill sets every leader needs to build and sustain trust.

Throughout my career in organizational development, I’ve found that effective leadership is rooted in three distinct but interconnected skill sets:

1. Technical Skills

Technical skills are industry-specific abilities unique to the products or services a company provides. These include knowledge of equipment, processes, raw material, tools, certifications, and specialized training. Each department within an organization has its own technical requirements, from operating machinery to mastering advanced software systems.

2. Core Skills

Core skills are company-specific competencies that reflect the unique aspects of the organization. These include understanding the company’s values, culture, policies, and procedures, as well as proficiency in internal systems like ERP platforms, scheduling tools, payroll, accounting, and quality management. Core skills represent the functional framework that makes the company operate smoothly.

3. Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills shape how leaders interact with their teams. Managers who excel in this area foster engagement, build mutual respect, and create a positive work environment. These skills determine how leaders communicate, solve problems, and build trust on a personal level.

In yesterday’s post, I highlighted the importance of character in building trust. Today, I’ll show how these interpersonal skills work alongside technical and core skills to form a complete foundation for leadership success.

Trust and the Role of Competence

Stephen Covey, in The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, identifies two components of trust: competence and character.

Competence, in this context, is the ability to apply technical and core skills effectively to achieve desired outcomes. When leaders are competent, they demonstrate expertise and reliability, which earns the respect and confidence of their teams.

Why Leaders Need All Three Skills

To earn trust and be effective, leaders must master technical, core, and interpersonal skills. Here’s why:

• Technical Skills: Many daily interactions involve answering “how-to” questions or addressing specific processes. A leader who lacks technical expertise can’t provide reliable guidance. This will cause employees to not trust the answers they get from their leader.

• Core Skills: Leaders are also asked to interpret or enforce company-specific policies and procedures. Without a firm grasp of these systems, their decisions may appear inconsistent or uninformed. This will potentially cause friction. After all, you are the boss.

• Interpersonal Skills: While technical and core knowledge are important, how leaders respond to questions and challenges is just as critical. Leaders with strong interpersonal skills build trust by showing empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence in their interactions.

The Common Gap in Leadership Development

Traditionally, companies promote individuals who excel in technical roles into leadership positions. However, these promotions often occur without providing training in interpersonal skills. This is a mistake and reveals the lack of foresight by management to develop high potential employees interpersonal skills.

This creates a gap because technically strong managers may struggle to connect with their teams, undermining trust and engagement.

The assumption that technical expertise alone is enough for leadership often leads to frustration, disengagement, and potentially turnovers due to lack of effective leadership.

Why Balance Matters

No single skill set is sufficient on its own:

• A leader who excels in technical skills but lacks interpersonal abilities risks alienating their team.

• A leader with strong interpersonal skills but weak technical and core skills may lack the credibility to answer key questions or make sound decisions.

True leadership requires balance. Success comes when leaders can seamlessly integrate technical expertise, company knowledge, and interpersonal strengths. This balance ensures that leaders can inspire trust, deliver results, and foster a thriving workplace culture.

Building trust is a multifaceted process, but mastering these three skill sets is the foundation of effective leadership.

Trust isn’t just about character—it’s about demonstrating competence through technical, core, and interpersonal skills every single day.

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