Trust isn’t just a buzzword in leadership; it’s the cornerstone of effective and thriving teams. As a leader, the relationships you build on trust can propel your team towards innovation, collaboration, and success. But how do you cultivate trust in a meaningful way?

Why Trust is Essential in Leadership

Trust lays the foundation for connection. When your team trusts you, they feel safe to voice their opinions, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of being judged. This creates an environment where psychological safety thrives, empowering your team to take risks and innovate. On the other hand, a lack of trust can lead to disengagement, fear, and ultimately, people leaving the organisation.

Trust is also an outcome of vulnerability. It’s what makes you human – acknowledging mistakes, asking for help, and seeking feedback. Vulnerability signals authenticity, which in turn builds trust. But trust is not about blind faith; it’s a carefully nurtured dynamic that balances care with accountability.

3 Tips to Build Trust

1. Assume Positive Intent

Starting with the belief that people have good intentions can reshape how you view and respond to people’s behaviours. When a team member falls short of expectations or makes a mistake, pause and ask yourself:

• Could there be a miscommunication?
• Are there external factors influencing their actions?

Assuming positive intent helps you approach situations with empathy rather than frustration. This mindset encourages open dialogue, allowing you to address challenges collaboratively rather than from a place of blame.

2. Stop Judgement

Judging others creates barriers. Instead, focus on what might be driving someone’s actions. Shift from “Why are they doing this to me?” to “What might they be experiencing?”

As leaders, it is important to challenge your inner narrative. When you notice yourself thinking someone is deliberately being difficult, ask if that really makes sense. Most people don’t set out to cause disruption; there’s often a deeper story at play.

By withholding judgment, you create a space where your team feels safe to share their perspectives.

3. Seek to Understand

Trust grows when leaders actively listen and show curiosity. Asking thoughtful questions shows that you value your team’s input. Try asking these curioius questions:

• “What challenges are you facing?”
• “How can I support you?”
• “What do you believe to be true about this situation?”

This approach fosters mutual respect and uncovers valuable insights. Seeking understanding also encourages your team to reflect and communicate more openly, deepening the trust between you.

Balancing Care and Accountability

A common misconception is that caring for your team means avoiding accountability. In fact, the two go hand-in-hand. Holding your team to high standards demonstrates that you care about their growth and success. Accountability, when coupled with trust, empowers individuals to perform at their best.

The more we care for people, the more we should hold them accountable. It shows that we believe in their potential and are invested in their success. By balancing care with accountability, you foster a culture of trust where team members feel supported yet motivated to excel.

Trust as a Leadership Superpower

Building trust isn’t a one-time effort – it’s an ongoing practice that requires vulnerability, empathy, and intentionality. By assuming positive intent, suspending judgement and seeking to understand, you can create an environment where your team feels safe, valued, and empowered.

Remember, trust is about connection. When trust flourishes, so does collaboration, innovation, and team engagement. As a leader, you have the power to make trust the core of your team’s culture.