Terminal breach

# Chapter 111

The three pillars of credibility according to Kouzes and Posner are trustworthiness, expertise, and dynamism. You have to build credibility, it cannot be purchased. A lack of it is the terminal breach of believablity.

Expertise is about deep knowledge of whatever subject. Deep knowledge is like what a PhD student has as they prepare to write their dissertation. Dr. Klipowicz told me that “when you finally read a book about your subject, and you have already read every single person this particular author quotes, then you are likely ready to start writing.” That proved to be accurate. Yet nobody knows everything, so this also includes being honest about what you don’t know. How solid is your knowledge about your subject?

Dynamism is the visible or experiential energy one has to compliment trustworthiness and expertise. It is the energy that comes from a true believer in the expertise and trustworthiness of the subject. Dynamism alone is just awful. Be enthusiastic not overpowering. My dad and I stopped by a dealership to look at a Jeep not long ago. The salesman, was so upbeat and positive about the Jeep that he talked us right out of it.

Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care. Not sure any longer who originally said that, several people are taking credit, but it remains true. Trustworthiness is rooted in honesty and dependability to keep secrets, but if you are not a person who cares, then it won’t matter. No one will confide in you.

These three make up the largest portion of credibility. Where are you on these three markers?