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- How to Build Trust
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I recently read a statistic I can’t stop thinking about:
Only 21% of employees trust their leaders.¹🤯
That is insane.
Building trust is crucial whether you're leading a high-performing team or nurturing a healthy family.
Trust forms the foundation of strong, healthy relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners.
So, why do so many people struggle with it?
Table of Contents
The Problem
Trust is fragile.
It takes a long time to build and only moments to destroy.
Trust can also be really hard to talk about.
Think about it.
Have you ever thought, “There is something about them I just don’t trust.”
Or heard someone say, “I can’t put my finger on it, but I just don’t trust them.”
Even though we sometimes can’t articulate it, we can still sense when it's missing.
And when trust is missing, everything starts to crumble.
Communication breaks down.
Misunderstandings multiply.
You find yourself questioning every decision, second-guessing intentions, and feeling isolated.
You spend your day navigating a minefield of doubt and suspicion.
Every conversation feels like a game of chess.
Every decision is met with resistance. It’s exhausting. It’s draining. And it’s entirely preventable.
So, why is trust so hard to build?
Several psychological factors contribute to this problem.
Fear of vulnerability, past betrayals, and a natural inclination to protect oneself can all play a part.
It’s a complex issue, but one that can be addressed with intentional effort.
Why It Matters
Trust affects everything.
Organizations with high trust levels outperform those with low trust by nearly 300%.²
One of my favorite breakdowns of trust is by Charles Feltman, in "The Thin Book of Trust."
He emphasizes that trust is built on four components:
Sincerity – “I mean what I say, say what I mean, and act accordingly”
Reliability – “You can count on me to deliver what I promise.”
Competence – “I know I can do this. I don’t know if I can do that”
Care – “We are in this together.”
Among these, the most often overlooked is care.
When people don’t feel you care or believe you are only concerned with your own self interest, they limit their trust to certain situations and transactions.
Showing genuine care for others fosters a deep sense of trust and is critical for building lasting relationships.
When trust is present, people are more willing to share ideas, take risks, and support each other.
Teams become more cohesive and resilient.
The Personal Impact
Trust is the glue that holds our most important relationships together, fostering deeper connections.
By understanding the components of trust—sincerity, reliability, competence, and care—we can navigate conflicts more effectively.
Recognizing where trust breaks down helps us address specific issues and stronger bonds.
When we embody these qualities, we build deeper, more meaningful connections.
Leadership Impact
For leaders, the stakes are even higher.
Without trust, leadership effectiveness plummets.
A leader without trust can’t inspire, motivate, or guide their team. Projects stall, goals remain unmet, and the overall vision gets blurry.
Leaders who build trust create teams that are 32% more likely to stay with the company, 46% more engaged, and 50% more productive4.
Trust is the glue that holds everything together.
“Every interaction is an opportunity to build or diminish trust.”
Take Action
How to Start Building Trust
Be Transparent
Share information openly. Let your team know the reasoning behind decisions. Transparency lets people know you are sincere and helps build credibility and trust.
Be Congruent
Ensure your message is clear and align your words with your actions. Consistency shows that you’re reliable and trustworthy. People need to know they can count on you.
Be Vulnerable
Building trust means being vulnerable at times. Own up to your mistakes. Apologizing sincerely when needed. Share your own fears and challenges. This authenticity fosters trust.
Listen Actively & Show Empathy
To build trust, really listen to others. Understand and address their concerns. Empathy shows that you care about them as individuals, not just as employees.
Keep Confidences
Keeping confidence is crucial for maintaining trust. When someone trusts you with private information, guard it carefully. Don't share it without explicit permission.
Summary
Building trust isn’t a one-time effort.
It’s a continuous process that requires transparency, consistency, clear communication, empathy, and confidence in your team.
By focusing on these areas, you can create a foundation of trust that leads to higher engagement, productivity, and satisfaction.
Key Takeaways
– Trust is fragile and essential.
– Transparency and consistency build trust.
– Clear communication reduces misunderstandings.
– Empathy shows you care.
Ideas for Action
– Give others your full attention.
– Follow through on promises and commitments.
– Say “I’m sorry” when you mess up
– Open up and allow yourself to be vulnerable at times.
Thought Provoker
What specific actions can I take to increase trust?
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References:
Edelman Trust Barometer. (2023). "Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report."
Covey, S. M. R. (2006). "The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything."
Feltman, C. (2008). "The Thin Book of Trust."
Gallup. (2019). "State of the American Workplace."