In this episode of @TheScienceofLeadership Tom Collins is joined by retired U.S. Air Force General Bob Kehler, former Commander of United States Strategic Command as they discuss the essential role of trust in effective leadership and how leaders can build that among those they lead.

General Kehler shares insightful and entertaining stories from his career, from being a Lieutenant in a Minute Man intercontinental ballistic wing in Montana to being Commander of U.S. Strategic Command. He describes the factors he has identified that leaders must have to build trust and confidence in their leadership. Along the way, the discussion ranges from nuclear deterrence to values in leadership. General Kehler also shares a funny story that ended up with him receiving a custom-made t-shirt for Christmas.

Key References:

Dirks, K. T. & Ferrin, D. L. (2002). Trust in Leadership: Meta-Analytic Findings and Implications for Research and Practice. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 611–628.

Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44, 350-383.

Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace. John Wiley & Sons.

Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrative model of organizational trust. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 709–734.