Trust: The One Thing That Makes or Breaks a Leader

We are in the midst of a crisis.

The evidence is all around us. From the ashes of Enron, Adelphia, and WorldCom, there can be little doubt that the leadership that dominates corporate America is failing and extending to our other modern institutions as well—political, religious, family, and media.

Our culture’s legacy of leadership is in trouble, and the crisis is not one of competence but of character.

When Les Csorba writes “leadership is character in motion,” few can make this claim credibly. Csorba is a recruiter with the world’s premier executive search firm, who draws from more than twenty years of leadership experience serving a United States senator, a governor, and as special assistant to President George H. W. Bush in the White House.

Trust explores the nature of leadership as a distinctly moral calling. Csorba’s urgent call is for a new moral leadership over today’s dominant pragmatic brand. And as Csorba takes a look at the leadership style of today’s more well-known leaders, he unveils the “7 Principles of Trust,” demonstrating how the most influential leaders are:

Purified in the fires of their own suffering

Shaped by mentors, individuals who are willing to “build their lives into others”

Called for a purpose that transcends personal ambition

At the heart of this journey is a call to integrity, character . . . and trust. The critical question, then, for today’s leaders and for a new generation that holds the potential to change the future is this: How will you keep the trust?

Whether you have already embraced the call to lead, or you are part of a new generation of emerging young leaders, Les T. Csorba challenges you to step up and become a leader of character. The need is great. The time is now. And with Trust, the future is full of possibility.

Endorsements:

“Les Csorba gets to the root of the leadership dilemma: we are all self-interested, yet true leaders master the urge to safeguard their positions and instead consistently put the interests of the groups they lead before their own.” —Sherron S. Watkins, Former Enron Corp. Vice President and Time Person of the Year 2002

“Les is right on target in emphasizing how important trust is in becoming a great leader . . . he centers on the most important principles in life—honesty and integrity—and gets an A+ in my book.” —Drayton McLane Jr., Chairman, McLane Group (Owner, The Houston Astros)

“Trust is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding what character traits make a great leader. When it comes to leadership, character still counts!” —Joe Scarborough, Host of MSNBC’s Scarborough Country and Former U.S. Congressman

“Placing our trust in leadership is, indeed, an act of faith on our part. Perhaps at no time before has our need for wise instruction in this arena been so critical—for the sake of the survival of the world . . . and no book better at clarifying the scene than Les Csorba’s!” —Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Founder and President, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

“I’ve read several manuscripts during the last 10 years, mostly on leadership, and Trust is the most comprehensive, readable, and accurate book that I have read.” —Archie W. Dunham, Chairman, ConocoPhillips

“Les Csorba puts into words a lesson I learned in business, politics, and diplomacy: Without honesty and trust, even simple problems can ripen into disasters; with honesty and trust, even the most contentious disputes can be settled.” —James A. Baker, III, Former United States Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff