The foundation of everything else.
WHAT BUILDS IT
Doing what you said Being consistent Admitting mistakes Defending the team Being honest about difficult things
WHAT DESTROYS IT
Broken commitments Saying different things to different people Blaming the team upward Taking credit Punishing honesty
WHY DEFENDING THE TEAM MATTERS SO MUCH
It is the clearest signal of whose side you are on.
WHAT THAT MEANS PRACTICALLY
Taking responsibility outward for failures, and giving credit inward for successes.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT YOUR OWN MISTAKES
Say so, plainly.
WHY
It produces more trust, not less, and it makes admitting mistakes safe for everyone.
WHAT HONESTY REQUIRES
Telling people things they would rather not hear.
WHAT EXAMPLES LOOK LIKE
That a project is at risk That a decision has been made they will dislike That you cannot answer something
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Pretend certainty you do not have Promise what you cannot deliver
WHAT TO SAY INSTEAD
What you know, what you do not, and when you will know more.
WHAT CONSISTENCY MEANS
The same standards, applied to everyone, including you.
WHAT UNDERMINES IT
Exceptions for favourites Rules you do not follow yourself
WHAT TO ASK PERIODICALLY
Whether people feel able to raise problems.
WHAT TO NOTICE
Whether bad news reaches you early or late.
WHAT LATE BAD NEWS INDICATES
That it is not safe.
