Which breaks faster: trust in someone's competence or trust in their character? Shane explores Stephen Covey's framework that trust operates on two separate dimensions. Competence trust builds quickly through credentials, positions, and demonstrated capability, but character trust takes time to develop through consistent honesty and integrity. The crucial insight? While competence breaks slowly with each mistake being somewhat forgivable, character trust can shatter in a single moment. Shane shares a vulnerable story from his own leadership journey about a time he broke someone's trust and the lasting impact it had on that professional relationship.

You'll learn a practical three-part transparency framework that builds character trust quickly whilst you're still establishing competence. Shane explains how to share your thinking process when uncertain, admit what you don't know whilst committing to find out, and explain your decisions even when they're unpopular. This approach doesn't just build trust faster, it protects you from appearing incompetent, reduces your cognitive load as a leader, and models the honest behaviour you want from your team. If you've ever worried about looking weak by admitting uncertainty, this episode will change how you approach leadership communication.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Education Leaders Intensive - 10-week leadership programme

International Centre for Coaching in Education (Use discount code SHANE5 for 5% off)

International Curriculum Association

Join Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensive

Shane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.

You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com

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