Has the time come for us to rethink the characteristics of a good leader? According to Stephen M.R. Covey, author of Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others, it has.
If Covey’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he is the son of Stephen R. Covey, the famous author of the influential book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, first published in 1989. Second-generation Covey continues the tradition of writing about inspirational leadership in his own book, presenting an alternative to the Command and Control leadership model that has dominated management for decades and which relies on hierarchical authority. He recognizes that the world has changed, work itself has changed, and the workforce has evolved, and he emphasizes the valuable role of diversity to unlock creativity, innovation, and success.
According to Covey’s assessment, the new Trust and Inspire leader works to unleash people’s talent and potential by truly empowering and inspiring them rather than by containing and controlling them. He contends that anyone who leads with integrity, who shows true concern for employees, and who communicates transparently cultivates a culture where team members feel valued and inspired to do their best. Trust and Inspire leaders also know the importance of self-awareness and personal growth, so they demonstrate genuine openness to feedback.
In Covey’s estimation, the fundamentals of becoming a Trust and Inspire leader consist in f ive fundamental beliefs and in three stewardships. Talented leaders believe that: 1) people have greatness inside them; 2) people are more than just employees—they are multifaceted, whole individuals; 3) a company or organization can provide enough for everyone; 4) leadership equals stewardship; and 5) leaders create enduring influence from the inside out. Covey also outlines the three stewardship principles as follows: 1) good leaders model who they are; 2) they trust in their own leadership skills; and 3) they inspire others by connecting their decisions to the “why”—to a purpose.
The book is full of stories that provide insights into this new paradigm of leadership. I found it to be well organized and easy to read. Covey’s writing style, like his philosophy, is clear and accessible. Throughout the book, he provides summaries and worksheets to support and inspire the reader’s journey toward becoming a Trust and Inspire leader.
Trust and Inspire resonates for me: Throughout my career, I have encountered, and bumped heads with, plenty of Command and Control leaders. That leadership style never sits well with me. In fact, the concepts that Covey embraces reflect my innate traits as a woman: empathy, love of community, caring, the need to belong, and connection. I highly recommend this refreshing and validating book and hope that the concept of Trust and Inspire takes hold in STEM.
Meleah Ashford is a water resources engineer with a BS from Oregon State University and an MS from the University of California, Berkeley. She worked in industry for 30 years, mostly as an engineering consultant. Ashford is now a certified Life Coach with Find Solid Ground Coaching, where she helps people meet goals related to financial well-being, starting a business, living the life they desire, and flourishing as a woman in STEM.
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