How To Lead After Your Credibility Has Been Questioned

Few leadership challenges are more daunting than regaining your footing after your credibility has been called into question. Whether the result of a misjudgment or an organizational setback, rebuilding trust requires intentional effort, humility, vulnerability and sustained commitment.

Fortunately, much like financial credit, credibility can be restored over time, but only if a leader is willing to apply the right strategies with consistency and integrity.

Losing Your Credibility As A Leader

First, it is important to recognize that even seasoned leaders can find their credibility challenged by unexpected events. In some cases, even the most capable leaders are confronted with circumstances beyond their control. This was certainly true for a recent coaching client of mine—an experienced leader in higher education who found himself leading a small college through the unprecedented disruptions of the pandemic.

In spring 2020, in the face of significant uncertainty in higher education, my client had only one goal: to safeguard the financial health and future of his small college. Without a substantial endowment to rely on, he acted quickly, exploring multiple scenarios, consulting with his team and ultimately choosing to furlough or permanently lay off more than half of the staff. While this was a high-stakes move, he believed it was necessary to prevent the institution from falling into debt during the pandemic.

Financially, the decision achieved its goal. However, its human and cultural costs were profound. Letting go of trusted and long-serving staff members—from security personnel to dining services—deeply affected the campus community, eroding trust and undermining morale and long-term retention for several years to come.

When we began our coaching engagement in 2023, his focus was singular: How could he rebuild his credibility as a trusted leader? Over the course of eight months, we worked to help him process the impact of his decisions, reconnect with his values and reestablish his presence as a strategic and compassionate leader.

Four key actions proved critical as we worked to rebuild his trust rating and, by extension, his credibility with his stakeholders.

Four Concrete Actions To Rebuild Credibility

1. Acknowledge and take responsibility.

The restoration of leadership credibility begins by acknowledging your missteps. Taking responsibility demonstrates integrity, even in the face of failure. This doesn't mean accepting blame for things beyond your control, but rather showing ownership of your role in the situation and its resolution.

And in the process of owning your role in the unfortunate circumstances, remember, never blame your superior or the board in a public forum. Accountability signals that you recognize the gravity of the situation and are committed to rectifying the issue.

2. Reconnect with core values and purpose.

A crisis of credibility can also serve as a catalyst for reflection and renewal. It offers an opportunity to genuinely reconnect with your core values and reaffirm your leadership purpose. This process must be authentic—not performative. When your actions consistently reflect your stated values over time, trust begins to rebuild.

Even in the wake of past mistakes, this alignment between words and behavior serves as a steady moral compass, guiding decisions and helping others anticipate your future actions with greater confidence.

3. Listen more than you speak.

When your credibility is in question, the instinct to explain or defend your actions can be strong. Yet meaningful recovery often begins with listening, deeply and without interruption. Creating space for others to share their concerns, frustrations and perspectives signals respect and a genuine commitment to growth.

Research has even shown that active listening is more well-received than advice-giving. Of course, future action needs to reflect some of the core concerns and suggestions you have heard.

4. Understand that recovery takes time.

One of the most challenging aspects of rebuilding credibility is accepting that it takes time. Trust, which is built slowly, can be lost in an instant—and restoring it requires sustained effort.

Leaders must consistently demonstrate reliable, values-aligned behavior before others will feel safe placing their trust again. This process demands both patience and persistence. Setbacks and moments of doubt are inevitable, but what matters most is maintaining a steady commitment to growth and integrity, even when progress feels slow or uncertain.

A Profound Test Of Leadership

Leading after a credibility crisis is one of the most profound tests a leader can face. Yet it also offers a powerful opportunity for transformation. By confronting the reality of the situation, taking accountable action, realigning with core values, actively listening and respecting the slow, steady nature of trust-building, you have the opportunity to restore your credibility. You might even emerge with deeper resilience, authenticity and influence than ever before.