Charles H. Green’s Trustworthiness Equation reveals the answer:
TRUSTWORTHINESS = (CREDIBILITY + RELIABILITY + INTIMACY) / SELF-ORIENTATION
Let’s break this down:
CREDIBILITY → Your expertise and knowledge
Do people believe what you say? Have you demonstrated competence in your field?
RELIABILITY → Your consistency and dependability
Do you follow through on commitments? Can your team count on you?
INTIMACY → Your emotional connection and safety
Do people feel safe being vulnerable with you? Can they share concerns openly?
SELF-ORIENTATION → Your focus on yourself vs. others
Here’s where most leaders stumble. This sits in the DENOMINATOR—meaning the more self-focused you are, the more it divides your trustworthiness.
THE GAME-CHANGING INSIGHT:
You can have outstanding credentials, deliver consistently, and build rapport—but if people sense you’re primarily focused on YOUR success, YOUR recognition, or YOUR agenda, trust collapses.
The most trusted leaders put their people first. They listen more than they speak. They serve before they sell.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR LEADERS:
→ In 1-on-1s: Ask more questions than you answer
→ In team meetings: Spotlight others’ contributions, not your own
→ In decision-making: Consider impact on people before metrics
→ In coaching: Focus on their growth, not proving your expertise
The mathematics is clear: Lower your self-orientation, and trustworthiness multiplies exponentially.
At ELMER, we help leaders unlock their potential by mastering exactly this—shifting from self-focused to people-centred leadership.
Leadership Trust ExecutiveCoaching LeadershipDevelopment
