When you hold a position of transparency, where there are no hidden agendas, people trust you. When you tell the truth people trust you. When you are open and authentic you invite trust. As Ghandi is quoted as saying, “To believe in something and not live it is dishonest”. If people know that what they see is what they get and they can always rely on your honest opinion whether positive or negative they will entrust themselves and their families to you as their trusted advisor.
Honesty and accountability are critical components for trust to be infused into your practice. The act of holding yourself accountable is a challenge. Everything you do and don’t do, say and don’t say communicates to others. People are reading your actions (and inactions) 24/7. Holding yourself accountable to what you declare is so is the real test of one’s honesty. Holding other people accountable is yet another level again. Being willing to hold your team and your practice members accountable to the agreements that you have made reveals the commitment you have to your vision. Being clear and concise and sticking to absolute standards are key components of control. It is true to say that what you can’t control you can’t manage and the highest levels of management are what this builder of trust is about.
So, be willing to call another person, be it a practice member or team member on any level of performance that is below the standard of excellence that you require. The same goes in reverse. Create an environment in your practice where your practice members and team members actively hold you accountable for your actions.
Action Step – Honesty
Identify three things that you say are important to others and don’t do it yourself. Make a commitment to rectify them. (These may include things like getting adjusted yourself at the same frequency as your practice members, paying for your own chiropractic care or even getting exercise of the type and frequency that you suggest to practice members.
