Positive Indicators

• Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion.
• Manages in a deliberate and predictable way.
• Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda.
• Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients.
• Gives proper credit to others.
• Follows through on agreed-upon actions.
• Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Negative Indicators

• Has hidden agendas; disguises intentions and feelings.
• Is unpredictable and inconsistent in management approach.
• Tends to be lax in delivering on promises.
• Tends to stick to one style of communication.
• Actions inconsistent with what is conveyed.
• Makes it difficult or provides a disincentive for others to speak openly.
• Can be indiscreet.

Sample Questions

Give me an example of how you have developed and maintained trust in the past.

• How effective were you at building and maintaining trust in your example?
• How could you be more effective at building and maintaining trust?
• What do you see as being the crucial issues to manage in order to get others to place their trust in you?
• How trusting are you of other people?

Describe a time when others have been surprised about your reaction/approach to a management issue?

• Why was your reaction different from normal?
• How aware were people of your intentions?
• How predictable are you in your management approach compared to your peers?

When have you chosen to keep sensitive information to yourself?

• What made you decide to do this?
• Why did you not choose to be open with the infonnation?
• How important is openness at work?

Tell me about a person with whom you worked that you found difficult to trust.

• Why did you not trust them?
• How did you deal with them?
• How trusting are you compared with your colleagues?

Tell me about the last time that you had to trust a new team member to do a task.

• How did you feel about it?
• What happened?
• What advice would you give to other managers/ supervisors in this situation?

Describe a time when you have been unable to deliver on an agreed action.

• Why did this happen?
• How responsible were you for this?
• What were the repercussions?
• What did you do to try and overcome the problem?