Stephen Covey’s model of trust, especially in his book The Speed of Trust, breaks trust down into two core components: character and competence. Character is about integrity, intent, and your values – do people believe you’re honest, ethical, and care about others? Competence is about your capabilities, results, and ability to deliver – can people rely on you to get the job done? Together, these build the foundation of real, sustainable trust.
For emerging leaders, this model is a brilliant guide for how to show up and build credibility. Trust isn’t just a warm, fuzzy concept – it’s a powerful currency that fuels collaboration, speeds up decision-making, and builds strong cultures. Covey reminds us that trust must be built deliberately through consistency, clarity, and care. And the great news? It’s something you can grow and strengthen every day through your actions and relationships.
