Leaders often rely on “automatic trust,” stemming from their authority, to gain compliance from team members. However, achieving genuine, “earned trust” is crucial for fostering motivation and commitment within a team. Unlike automatic trust, earned trust develops through consistent, authentic interactions where leaders show integrity in both “talking the talk” and “walking the walk.” Without earned trust, delegation becomes risky, as leaders may feel their team won’t reliably handle tasks, which hampers time management and the team’s growth. Conversely, when trust is high, team members willingly give discretionary effort, displaying greater creativity, dedication, and initiative.
Building and maintaining earned trust requires time and steady effort. Leaders may inadvertently undermine trust by losing their temper, rejecting ideas without consideration, or failing to follow through on promises. Moreover, insufficient communication—where leaders focus on issuing orders instead of explaining, listening, or seeking input—can erode trust. Effective communication involves explaining the purpose of tasks, listening to team concerns, and fostering mutual understanding.
A significant challenge in cultivating trust is finding the time for these trust-building interactions amidst a busy schedule. Leaders who don’t delegate effectively often have less time to engage meaningfully with their team, leading to a vicious cycle of mistrust and lack of delegation. To break this loop, leaders must prioritize one-on-one time with team members, understanding their motivations, interests, fears, and goals. These personal insights allow leaders to align delegated tasks with individual career paths and developmental needs, building a sense of purpose and accountability within the team.
For successful delegation, it’s essential that leaders approach each task with their team member’s growth in mind, involving them in planning and monitoring progress. This process demands dedicated time, which may be easily deprioritized due to competing obligations, but committing to these conversations ultimately pays off by strengthening trust.
In sum, building trust is an ongoing process that requires leaders to change their mindset, habits, and time allocation. Rather than repeating the same experience annually, leaders must continually work to strengthen relationships with their team. Earned trust not only requires effort but is invaluable in elevating team cohesion, individual motivation, and collective success. Consistent attention to these trust-building efforts results in a lasting foundation of trust within the team.
Action Steps:
Recognize the difference between position-based and earned trust. Develop delegation skills that foster growth. Reflect on whether genuine communication is occurring. Dedicate time to knowing your team deeply.