CREDIBILITY

CREDIBILITY : How Leaders Gain It and Lose It , Why People Demand It

James M . Kouzes and Barry Z . Posner

The dictionary defines credibility as the state of being believable and reliable . When I have credibility , I am confident that I influence people in a positive way

From this book , I learned so well how important credibility is as it is said to be the foundation of leadership and of all relationships that work . Leadership and relationship goes hand in hand with credibility Without the other , of the managers or constituents would be

able to climb up the ladder of success . Hence , leadership is influence . It involves people . Here comes the manager and here comes the employee what would become of the two if no good relationship exists between them ? I presume there would be nothing . But with a manager treating his employees as internal customers , he earns an outstanding reward - loyalty . Loyalty is not something a boss can demand . It is something the people - the constituency - choose to grant a leader who has earned it (9 . Well , why not ? In the first place , employees are like the main engine of a machine . They are valuable as much as they are being used But of course , this engine needs an operator as well . And in this case they are the managers who act as the operator . How they handle the machine will affect how the engine will keep working . From this illustration , both parties show that they are reliant to one another They are a team that aims one goal and sees one vision - to succeed

The formula to maintain credibility is easy . This is what Kouzes and Posner prescribed to strengthen it : DWYSYWD - Do what you say you will do . Exactly , this is what I perceived credibility is . It is a big bunch of characters that acts as the company 's air freshener - sincerity trustworthy , authority , integrity and reliability . Oh , think about how wonderful it is to work at an environment with air so fresh . No atmosphere would be more excellent than that

If there 's something that upsets employees most about their managers it is when they are not being listened to . Listening is , nevertheless an ingredient of a good communication . When communication flows freely and clearly , it is most likely to create a better ambiance in the company as it will eradicate unrealistic demands , unclear directions (followed by angry reproof when the job is not done properly , and angry , rude , condescending , or temperamental behavior (117 . Aside from that , impressive listening skills also keep leaders from becoming isolated rather allow them to stay in-touch . Staying in touch means the leaders must remain approachable (193 . So what could be better than showing interest in what anyone will say ? Mary Ann Allison says The key word in agreement is `yes ' It is a magical and powerful tool for bringing people closer . When people say yes to one another , their relationship changes a potential argument is transformed into the beginning of...