Trust Me: How trustworthy are you as a leader

Trust is the foundation of effective leadership. Yet, many of us don’t stop to ask ourselves, how trusted am I by my team?  How might my  behaviors and language be  impacting the perception my team has of how trust worthy I am. 

Are you as trustworthy as you think, or could misalignments between your intentions, actions and the outcomes you are getting be eroding trust without your knowledge?

To have trust you need to first build a robust trust foundation.  

Being a trustworthy leader requires consistently demonstrating reliability, integrity, openness, and fairness. Even small inconsistencies between what you say and what you do can damage trust.  As leaders we can often unintentionally fall into traps such as overpromising, withholding information, or failing to admit mistakes, all of which can diminish our team's trust.

How do you know where your trust level is at with others?  Start with self-awareness.   

Reflect on the following questions to gauge your current standing:

• Do my actions consistently align with my words?
• Am I transparent with my team about decisions and the why behind them?
• How do I handle mistakes—both mine and those of others?  Do I focus on what went wrong or who did wrong?
• Do I protect confidential information at all times?
• Are my decisions fair and free from favoritism?

To really know, you need to find out if there are gaps between how you would rate yourself as compared to how others would rate you.  Encourage honest feedback from your peers, mentors, and team members, using open questions.  Often from leaders I hear “but I ask all the time do you have any feedback for me?”.  This is a closed question.  Try replacing it with “what do I need to work on?” or “what can I do more of to support you?”.  

If you are not receiving any direct feedback from your team, tools like 360-degree feedback can be particularly insightful for understanding how others perceive your trustworthiness.

Why is trust so important?  The impact of trust on leadership is huge.  

Have you ever worked for a leader, or with a co-worker where there was no trust?  How did this impact your thoughts and behaviours?  Were you able to perform at your best?

Trust directly influences team dynamics and performance. High-trust environments are characterised by better collaboration, increased engagement and satisfaction, and higher productivity. Conversely, a lack of trust can lead to disengagement, turnover, and a toxic work culture. As a leader, proactively building trust not only boosts morale but also enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of your team.

Building trust is an ongoing process. Once you have it you need to maintain it.  If you deplete it, you need to work hard to get it back.  Reflect on these points and check in with how you would rate yourself in relation to everyone on your team and in your wider organisation.

• Consistency: Align your actions with your words. Follow through on your commitments and maintain consistency in your leadership style and decisions so it looks and feels the same for everyone.
• Transparency: Communicate openly about both where you are winning and what is not working, for you as a leader and for your team. 
• Empathy and Understanding: Connect with your team members on a personal level. Meet them where they are in terms of what support they need to be their best.
• Open Communication: Create a safe space for feedback. Let your team know that their opinions are valued and considered, be prepared to listen and role model how you act on the feedback you receive.
• Acknowledge and Reward Trustworthiness: Recognise behaviors that promote trust within your team. Celebrate these moments to encourage a culture of trust.

Trustworthiness in leadership isn’t just about being liked; it’s about being consistent, reliable, and fair. It’s about aligning your behaviors with your values and ensuring your team knows they can count on you. Evaluate your leadership practices regularly and make conscious efforts to enhance your trust quotient. Remember, there is no real leadership without trust.