Someone once said that trust is the currency of change.

I think that’s true.

The more trust you build, the more influence you have, and the greater the permission for change.

Think about when you go to the doctor, and they diagnose an illness. They carry significant influence, including the ability to prescribe treatments or recommend next steps. Most of the time, we willingly follow their advice because we trust that they know what they’re talking about.

Trust is the currency of influence and change.

But trust is always a risk.
Trust is always a choice.
And trust is a sacred responsibility.
It can take years to build and only moments to lose.

Over the years, I’ve observed that trustworthy leaders tend to embody a few consistent postures of the heart that show up in practical ways.

Here are six that stand out to me:

• Honesty: I tell you the truth
• Transparency: What you see is what you get
• Vulnerability: I admit when I’m struggling, when I’m wrong, and when I need help
• Reliability: I do what I say I will do; I’m consistent in both action and attitude
• Security: I will do my best for you and be emotionally safe.
• Loyalty: I will stand with you in both the good times and the hard times.

Of course, none of us does these perfectly. But healthy leadership is about paying attention, growing intentionally, and continuing to become the kind of people others can safely trust.

So how do these play out for you right now?
Is there one area you sense you need to lean into more?
And what small step could you take this week?
Practice makes progress.

And progress matters, because everything in healthy leadership is rooted in trust - and if you want to build a culture of trust, then the leader must lead by example and go first.

I'm hugely passionate about the challenge of leading through change well. It's why there's a whole session devoted to this in the Reboot Your Leadership rxperience. It's now your moment to jump on board and join a group of leaders who are committed to lead like they love to, from weary, wobbly, or wounded to renewed confidence, refocused priorities, and refined skills.

Click HERE to find out more, and do come back to me if you have any questions. Here's what recent participant, Queensley Ojo, had to say...

"Reboot came at exactly the right time for me, creating the space I didn’t know I needed to breathe, to reflect, and to be honest. What made the biggest difference was the blend of practical leadership wisdom from Matt and genuine peer connection. Hearing others share their own challenges reminded me that I wasn’t alone, and that leadership isn’t about having all the answers it’s about staying open, grounded, and responsive to God’s voice. It didn’t just strengthen my leadership; it strengthened me and helped me align my purpose. ."