Trust doesn’t grow in the shadow of doubt. Trust blooms in the light of consistency. It’s never a given. You must give it to get it. Trust is built on human connection.

Leaders who do not trust their team enough won’t be trusted. – Lao Tzu.

The 3-Rs lead to Trust

1 – Relationships

• Get to know everyone on your team beyond their work.
• Make it safe to share bad news when things go wrong, without throwing anyone under the bus.
• Be visible and accessible. Provide them with the tools they need to succeed.

2 – Respect.

• Respect is reciprocal – you have to give it to get it. Respect is earned.
• Acknowledge that everyone on your team has the right to express their opinion, even if you don’t agree with it.. You can agree to disagree.
• Praise their contributions in public, create teachable moments in private.

3 – Reliability.

• Whatever you say you are going to do – do it. Your word must be your bond.
• Be predictable. Be steady under pressure, don’t overreact. Remain calm, reflect and focus on next steps.

When you choose to trust, you plant seeds of connection that grow into unshakable bonds. – Peale

Establishing Trust.

• Transparency. Share the ‘Why,’ especially when decisions won’t make everyone happy.
• Fairness. Don’t play favourites. Apply standards consistently across the board. What’s good for someone has to be good for everyone.
• Competence. Come prepared, be clear, and admit that you don’t know everything – then follow up with the right answer. Don’t make stuff up.
• Psychological Safety. Mistakes become opportunities for improvement, not fear. Look at mistakes as an opportunity for others to grow.

Sometimes you don’t have all the answers, but if you have established trust with those you work with and interact with. They will take a leap of faith, knowing you have their best interests at heart. Not everyone wants to lead, but everyone gets to decide who they want to follow. Practice the 3-Rs. Remember that trust is built on human connection.

Copyright 2026. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. Are you searching for a keynote speaker for your next event or planning a training session at your location? Brian works with people who want to learn to communicate and interact more effectively, build collaborative teams, resolve conflicts or motivate others to perform at their best. Contact Brian and discover what he can do for you, your team and your organization.