Believability and Trust Foundation of Credible Leadership: Duality of Competence and Character as Persuasive Antecedents

This qualitative study examined how credible leadership manifested itself through the dual dimensions of competence and character, drawing on in-depth interviews with three prominent community leaders: a County Assembly Member, a local Chief, and a Pastor. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory and Authentic Leadership Theory, the study looked at how leaders established and maintained credibility by consistently demonstrating both professional excellence and moral integrity in their leadership practices. The study took a phenomenological approach to leadership credibility, using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to understand the lived experiences of leaders who had successfully maintained credibility across diverse stakeholder groups. The study's methodology included rigorous data collection through 90-minute interviews with each participant, followed by systematic thematic analysis to identify patterns in leadership credibility development and maintenance. The results of the study revealed five major themes: the foundational interplay between competence and character in establishing leadership credibility; strategic approaches to building and maintaining trust through transparent communication and authentic relationship building; the importance of navigating credibility challenges while maintaining ethical standards; the critical role of cultural sensitivity and community engagement in leadership effectiveness; and These insights significantly improved our understanding of how leaders could effectively integrate professional capability and moral character to establish long-term credibility in contemporary organisational contexts. The study had practical implications for leadership development programs and provided valuable guidance for aspiring leaders looking to establish and maintain credibility across a variety of organisational environments. Keywords: Believability, Trust, Credible Leadership, Competence, Character