Trust is an outcome. An outcome of how you behave and how you are perceived. I cannot demand trust. I cannot expect to be trusted. I must earn trust. I must behave in such a way that the levels of trust between us can build.

Our lives are full of “have to’s” and “got to’s” and “need to’s”.

Let’s face it we are busy people; things to do, places to go, people to see.

What we say and how we say has an impact on our attitude to what we are doing.

“Got to”, “have to”, “must do” “need to” all imply no choice; a compulsion to comply. They bring with them a reluctance and a lack of will.

Creating at a subconscious level, a negativity and a submission to victimhood, and this will play out at a conscious level too.

So, let us change the inner dialogue. Let us challenge that negativity. Let us turn this submissive mindset to a positive, constructive and grateful mindset; after all , we do have a choice.

One of the most profound, but in essence the most simple leadership lessons I ever learnt, came from the wisdom and the lips of a King – King Solomon of Arawarien, deep in the Delta State of Nigeria. The words he spoke have stayed with me and became one of the key premises of all my work and particularly the foundation principle of compassionate leadership.