Stephen R. Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and later works, emphasizes that trust is the foundation of leadership and effectiveness. Trust is built upon two key dimensions: Character and Competence.
1. Character – The moral foundation
Character answers the question: “Can I trust this person’s intent?”
It is about who you are at the core, the principles and values that guide your actions.
Key elements of character:
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Integrity – Consistency between words and actions; doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
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Maturity – Balancing courage with consideration; being both candid and respectful.
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Abundance Mentality – Believing there is enough success to be shared, fostering collaboration instead of destructive competition.
Without strong character, competence may only lead to short-term results, but will ultimately erode trust.
2. Competence – The ability foundation
Competence answers the question: “Can this person actually deliver?”
It is about your skills, capabilities, and track record in producing results.
Key elements of competence:
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Technical Skills – Knowledge and expertise in your field.
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Conceptual Skills – The ability to see the bigger picture, solve problems, and make strategic decisions.
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Interpersonal Skills – The capacity to communicate, collaborate, and lead people effectively.
Without competence, good intentions cannot translate into meaningful results.
3. The Trust Equation
Covey explains that both character and competence are essential for sustainable leadership and influence:
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Character without competence → “Good person, but ineffective.”
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Competence without character → “Capable person, but not trustworthy.”
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Character + Competence → “Trusted leader who delivers lasting results.”
Example
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A doctor with strong ethics but poor medical skills is unsafe.
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An engineer with great technical ability but no integrity puts lives at risk.
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A leader with both character and competence inspires trust and drives meaningful progress.
✅ In summary: trust is the fruit of combining character (who you are) and competence (what you can do).
📖 Footnote:
Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. Free Press.
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