The Five Promises Every Leader Must Keep to Build Trust and Engagement
Leadership is more than just managing tasks—it’s about inspiring trust, fostering engagement, and empowering teams to achieve their best. Dr. Roger Gerard, with over 50 years of leadership expertise across industries, emphasizes that effective leadership begins with a simple but profound commitment: keeping promises to your team. These five promises are the foundation for creating an environment where trust, collaboration, and growth flourish.
1. Listen Respectfully
Great leadership starts with listening. Employees need to feel valued and heard, not just seen as resources to complete tasks. When leaders listen respectfully and take input seriously, it demonstrates that they genuinely care about their team’s perspectives. This doesn’t mean agreeing with every idea—it means providing thoughtful responses and transparency about decisions. Respectful listening builds trust and fosters a collaborative culture where employees feel safe to voice their concerns and contribute their ideas.
2. Support Growth
Leadership is not just about directing—it’s about developing. Dr. Gerard highlights the importance of helping employees learn and grow. This includes providing access to training, mentoring opportunities, and challenges that stretch their abilities. When employees see that their leaders are invested in their development, it creates a sense of purpose and inspires them to bring their best to the workplace. Leaders who prioritize growth create a ripple effect, enabling individuals to achieve personal goals while driving organizational success.
3. Champion Success
One of the most impactful things a leader can do is actively help their team succeed. This means removing roadblocks, ensuring employees have the tools and resources they need, and empowering them to take ownership of their work. Leaders who champion their teams not only improve performance but also foster a sense of pride and accountability. By creating an environment where employees feel supported, leaders can transform disengagement into enthusiasm and productivity.
4. Ensure Competitive Compensation
Compensation is more than just a paycheck—it’s a reflection of how much an organization values its people. Dr. Gerard underscores the importance of offering not just fair but competitive compensation. This demonstrates respect for employees’ contributions and helps retain top talent. Competitive pay signals to employees that their hard work is recognized and appreciated, strengthening their commitment to the organization.
5. Have Their Back
Challenges and setbacks are inevitable in any workplace. The true test of leadership lies in how leaders respond during difficult times. Standing by your team when things go south—whether due to external factors or internal mistakes—fosters loyalty and resilience. Employees are far more likely to take risks, innovate, and stay engaged when they know their leader has their back. This promise is the cornerstone of building a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Going Beyond Promises
Dr. Gerard emphasizes that keeping these promises requires leaders to actively engage with their teams. He advocates for a “go and see, go and do” approach, where leaders step out of their offices, observe the day-to-day work of their teams, and take meaningful action to support them. Leadership isn’t something that happens behind a desk—it’s a hands-on practice of understanding and enabling your team to succeed.
Why These Promises Matter
The modern workplace faces significant challenges: disengagement, cynicism, and burnout are all too common. According to research, only about 30% of employees are actively engaged in their work. These five promises address the root causes of disengagement by creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated.
Leaders who listen, invest in growth, support success, compensate fairly, and stand by their teams inspire loyalty and drive lasting results. By keeping these promises, you can transform your organization into a place where people thrive—and want to stay.
Start Leading with Purpose
Leadership isn’t easy, but it is deeply rewarding when done right. By committing to these five promises, you can build trust, foster engagement, and create a thriving team. As Dr. Gerard puts it, leadership is about empowering others to succeed—not just meeting organizational goals but helping people reach their full potential.
Are you ready to take your leadership to the next level? Begin today by making and keeping these promises. Your team—and your organization—will thank you for it.
Check out this full episode of The Leadership Toolkit podcast with Dr. Roger Gerard on Spotify, my YouTube Channel, Or click to watch below.
Check out past episodes of The Leadership Toolkit on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform!
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Our host, Mike Phillips is a seasoned leadership educator and expert. He has a knack for extracting the most valuable insights from his guests. His passion for helping individuals reach their leadership potential shines through in every episode. Thank you for reading and watching. Please share this with someone who needs this message today!
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