3 Key Principles for Trusting Teams

In one of my early leadership roles, I remember being so keen to be accepted, respected and trusted by my team. I thought that by being authentic, honest and clear people would automatically see that I was trustworthy enough to follow.

What I experienced however was that while this approach worked with some it was by no means instantaneous nor a given. For some team members, it took a few years of persistence until I fully had their trust and acceptance.

Building trust in your team is a multifaceted task that demands time, consistency, patience, and integrity. Trust doesn't develop overnight—it's a gradual process that requires continual effort and a commitment to fostering an environment where trust can thrive.

Time and Consistency

Building trust takes time, and it involves consistent actions and behaviours. Trust is formed through repeated interactions and experiences that demonstrate reliability, honesty, and integrity. As a leader, it's essential to consistently act in ways that are aligned with your values and expectations, as this helps to build credibility and reliability over time. For example, if you say you'll follow up with team members on a particular issue, it's essential to do so promptly and consistently. If you're inconsistent or unreliable in your actions, it can undermine trust and credibility within your team.

Patience

Patience is key when building trust. Trust is not built overnight, and it requires patience to navigate the ups and downs of building relationships and fostering open communication. It's essential to be patient with your team members and to give them the time and space they need to develop trust in you. It's also important to be patient with yourself and to recognise that building trust takes time and effort.

Integrity

Integrity is crucial when it comes to building trust in teams. Integrity involves being honest, consistent, and reliable in your actions and interactions. Acting with integrity and holding yourself and your team members accountable for their actions is essential. This helps to build trust and credibility within your team, as team members will know that you can be relied upon to act in ways that are consistent with your values and expectations. And in turn, are more likely to follow through with their own.

Leaders must demonstrate these qualities in their actions and interactions with their team members to build credibility, reliability, and trust. Over time, these efforts can lead to stronger, more cohesive teams that are more effective and productive.