Trust Matters: Foundations for Strong Leadership
Trust matters in leadership.
Trust is essential for effective leadership because it influences how well your team works together and determines their overall success. While trust doesn’t happen overnight, leaders can build it faster by showing care, honesty, openness, reliability, and competence in their actions. When trust is strong, teams stay motivated, work well together, and handle challenges with confidence. This lesson will focus on five traits that are key to building trust: benevolence, honesty, openness, reliability, and competence.
Let’s take a quick look at these attributes:
Benevolence in leadership is about showing empathy, compassion, and genuine concern for others. Leaders who prioritize the well-being of their team members foster an environment where individuals feel valued and supported. This is especially critical during difficult times, as benevolence encourages open communication and builds psychological safety.
Honesty is fundamental to trust, requiring leaders to be truthful and transparent, even when it means admitting mistakes or sharing difficult information. Being honest establishes credibility and signals to the team that integrity is a priority.
Openness involves sharing information, considering feedback, and valuing diverse perspectives. Leaders who practice openness create inclusive environments where team members feel encouraged to contribute ideas and collaborate.
Reliability is demonstrated through consistent follow-through on commitments, meeting deadlines, and keeping promises. Reliable leaders create a sense of stability that reduces stress and reassures the team during uncertain times.
Competence reflects a leader’s ability to effectively perform tasks and guide their team toward success. Competence is built through continuous learning, informed decision-making, and the ability to adapt to challenges.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Self-Assessment:
Trust Matters: Foundations of a Strong Leadership
Please take a few moments to contemplate the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership?
Do I make the well-being of my team a priority and offer them support?
Do I show empathy and compassion to create a positive work environment?
Am I always truthful and willing to admit mistakes when they happen?
Do I communicate openly and make fair, ethical decisions?
Do I encourage my team to share ideas and feedback, and do I listen when they do?
Can my team rely on me to follow through on my promises and meet deadlines?
Do I show expertise in my work and continue to build my leadership skills?
Do I support my team’s growth and encourage them to keep learning and improving?
Remember, this self-assessment is just a starting point for understanding your knowledge of The Foundations of Trust as a leader. It's essential to reflect on your responses and actively work on areas where improvement is needed. Additionally, seeking feedback from others and working with your ECFL Leadership Coach can provide valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses.
Trust is the foundation of good leadership. Leaders who consistently show key traits can build trust over time. Let’s take a closer look at these five traits:
Benevolence
The word benevolence comes from the Latin term benevolentia, meaning “good will” or “the desire to do good.” Over time, it has become a universal value appreciated across all cultures. Acts of kindness, such as helping others, volunteering, or giving back to the community, are often praised and encouraged. In leadership, benevolence is about showing empathy, compassion, and care for your team. When leaders put their team’s well-being first, they create an environment where people feel valued and supported. This builds trust and makes it easier for team members to share their thoughts and feelings. Benevolence becomes even more important during stressful times when emotions run high. Leaders who show patience, understanding, and kindness during these moments set a strong example, earning respect and loyalty from their teams.
Honesty
Honesty is a key part of creating trust and transparency in leadership. It’s not just about telling the truth—it’s also about admitting when you’ve made mistakes, being upfront about challenges, and sharing both good and bad news. When leaders are truthful, even when it’s uncomfortable, they show their team that integrity is a priority. Being honest builds credibility and sets the tone for others to do the same. Team members are more likely to trust a leader who is open and accountable. This creates a culture where people feel safe to speak up, take responsibility, and grow.
Openness
Openness in leadership means being willing to share information, listen to others’ ideas, and consider different perspectives. Leaders who are open show that they value their team’s input and encourage a work environment where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. Being open in your communication helps build trust because it shows humility and a commitment to learning. Teams that feel heard are more likely to share creative solutions and collaborate effectively. Leaders who are open to feedback demonstrate that they are always working to improve, which strengthens their connection with their teams.
Reliability
Reliability means being someone your team can count on. Leaders show reliability by consistently following through on promises, meeting deadlines, and staying true to their word. This builds a sense of stability that helps teams feel secure, especially during times of change or uncertainty. When leaders are reliable, they create trust and reduce stress for their teams. Team members know they can depend on their leader’s support no matter the situation, which gives them the confidence to focus on their work and perform their best.
Competence
Competence is a leader’s ability to perform their role effectively and guide their team toward success. Leaders who are competent have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to make informed decisions and solve problems. They inspire confidence by continuously learning and staying up-to-date with trends in their field. Competent leaders also act as a resource for their teams, offering guidance and support when needed. This creates trust because it shows the leader is capable of helping the team reach its goals and overcome challenges.
“While selfishness joins hands with no one of the virtues, benevolence is allied to them all.”
The Journey of Pepper: From Uncertainty to Excellence
Pepper was recently promoted to team leader at Stark Industries, a busy software company. While excited about her new role, she felt unsure if she could manage the team effectively and meet the high expectations set for her.
During her first few weeks, Pepper struggled to delegate tasks, leaving her overwhelmed and stressed. Deadlines were missed, and her team’s morale began to drop. Realizing she needed to improve, Pepper sought advice from her mentor, Tony, a respected leader in the company.
Tony encouraged Pepper to focus on two key traits: reliability and competence. He explained that reliability meant always keeping her promises and showing her team they could count on her. Competence, he said, was about developing the skills and knowledge needed to lead with confidence.
Pepper took his advice seriously. She started by setting clear expectations with her team and holding regular meetings to discuss goals, progress, and challenges. This helped create a more transparent and accountable environment. Pepper also made sure to follow through on all her commitments, no matter how small, and her team quickly noticed her consistency and dedication.
As she worked on improving reliability and competence, Pepper realized trust also involved being honest about her struggles, open to her team’s ideas, and showing she truly cared about their well-being. She shared her challenges openly and encouraged her team to do the same. By listening carefully and offering support when needed, she built a sense of care and empathy that helped the team feel safe and valued.
Pepper also focused on growing her competence. She dedicated time each week to learning more about project management and software development practices. She attended workshops, read articles, and even enrolled in an online course. Pepper encouraged her team to grow as well, creating a culture where learning and improvement were priorities.
Over the next few months, the change in Pepper’s leadership style became clear. She was no longer the unsure leader who struggled with delegation. Instead, she became a dependable and skilled leader who inspired confidence. Her team began meeting deadlines, improving the quality of their work, and feeling more motivated.
Pepper’s journey shows how focusing on reliability, competence, and care can transform not only a leader but also the team they lead. By committing to these traits, she turned her challenges into successes, setting an example for others to follow.
Reflection Questions:
What steps did Pepper take to become a more reliable leader?
How can you ensure that you consistently follow through on your commitments?
What strategies can you implement to build trust within your team?
In what ways did Pepper work on improving her competence as a leader?
What areas of your skillset do you think need improvement?
How can you incorporate continuous learning into your routine?
Building trust as a leader requires not only understanding these core attributes but also actively applying them in daily interactions with your team. The following best practices are practical steps that align with each attribute and can help you cultivate a trustworthy leadership style. By integrating these practices into your routine, you reinforce the principles of benevolence, honesty, openness, reliability, and competence, thereby strengthening trust within your team.
Best Practices for Building Trust as a Leader:
Demonstrate Benevolence: Showing empathy and genuine concern for your team creates trust and respect. When leaders are caring, it encourages open communication and creates a supportive environment. Take time each week to check in with team members individually, asking how they’re doing both personally and professionally.
Practice Honesty: Be transparent and truthful with your team, even when discussing challenges or mistakes. Admitting errors and sharing information openly creates a culture where everyone feels safe to do the same. This builds credibility and strengthens trust over time. For example, when a project hits a roadblock, communicate the issue clearly to your team, outline your plan to address it, and invite input when appropriate.
Cultivate Openness: Openness goes beyond sharing information; it also means being receptive to feedback and different perspectives. Leaders who value openness signal that every voice matters, encouraging collaboration and innovation. This practice deepens trust by making team members feel heard and respected. Host regular feedback sessions where team members can voice their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgment.
Be Reliable: Reliability is shown through consistent actions, meeting deadlines, and keeping promises. Leaders who demonstrate reliability create a stable environment where their team can feel confident in their leadership. This reduces stress and builds trust, as people know they can depend on their leader's follow-through. Document commitments and set reminders to ensure you consistently meet deadlines and follow through on promises made to the team.
Develop Competence: Competence proves you have the skills and knowledge to guide the team effectively. Leaders who invest in their own growth, as well as the growth of their team, show they are committed to continuous improvement. This reassures team members of the leader’s capability and builds trust through demonstrated expertise. Set aside time each month to engage in professional development, whether through courses, workshops, or learning alongside your team.
Trust is the foundation of strong leadership at 3M Chem Ops. When you focus on showing care, honesty, openness, reliability, and competence, you create a work environment where your team feels supported, valued, and motivated to perform at their best. Building trust strengthens relationships and helps your team work together more effectively, especially during challenges.
Trust is also fundamental for Transparency. By being open and clear in your actions and communication, you ensure that everyone on your team understands the goals, expectations, and decisions being made. This creates a culture where people feel included and respected, which inspires collaboration and innovation.
Finally, trust plays a key role in Operational Discipline at 3M Chem Ops. It helps create consistency and accountability, allowing teams to stay focused on their tasks and deliver results efficiently. When trust is present, teams are more resilient, flexible, and prepared to tackle obstacles as they arise.
As you continue to build trust in your leadership, remember that every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen your team and create a foundation for lasting success.
Strengthen your understanding of the five attributes of trust by sticking with the following resources. Use this opportunity to note new insights and adhere to practices that will enhance your leadership journey.
The Power of Reliability: A Pillar of Trust and Success
Jim Iyoob
Trusted Leaders Practice Transparency in These 5 Ways
Scott Mautz
3 Strategies for Leading Through Difficult Times
Rasmus Hougaard, Jacqueline Carter, and Rob Stembridge