Trust. You can’t lead without it. That’s right. It’s impossible to lead a family, a church, or an organization without trust. Michael Hyatt compares trust to “oil in the engine.” It’s what keeps you from overheating. It’s what keeps things running smoothly.

As a leader, a pastor, or a boss, trust is absolutely essential. Your people must trust you if they are going to follow you. But for people to trust you, you must be trustworthy. Here are two simple ways to create trust in your organization, your family, or you church.

1. Be who you say you are. I don’t want to oversimplify this “trust” thing. But sometimes the trust is really that simple. Do you want to create trust? Be who you say you are. This is the age-old concept of integrity. Be the same person at home, at work, at play, and at church. If you want people to trust you, you must be consistent. People need to know what they’re going to get when they come to you. You won’t be perfect, that’s for sure. But you can be who you say you are.

2. Do what you say you’ll do. Not only should you be a trustworthy person by living a life of integrity, you should also be responsible, prompt, and courteous. How? SImple. Do what you say you’ll do. I have encountered too many pastors, bosses, and employees who simply don’t follow through. Everyone makes a mistake from time to time, but when a lack of follow through becomes a habit, trust erodes very quickly. Here are some simple tips – be on time, follow up with people, return phone calls, respond to emails promptly. These are just a few ways that you can create trust in those around you.

Again, I don’t want to oversimplify this “trust” thing. I know it’s often more complicated than it seems. But I do believe if we lived with consistency, integrity, and responsibility it would go a long way to creating trust within our families, companies, and churches.