Module Three: Trust
Trust is built through experience. It is not gained through lectures, promises or good intentions. Recently, I observed a team that added to their infrastructure of trust. It began with a crisis and ended with excellence. The day began as normal but in the course of a few minutes, it was filled with multiple situations that required teamwork and sacrifice. This team answered the call and ventured out of their comfort zones to accomplish the mission at hand.
The mission or task is not what built trust on this team. The willingness to act decisively and selflessly for the good of another and for the overall benefit of the team is what mattered. Once the crisis was over, each member involved knew that they could depend on one another. They knew this not because of a speech, talk, or passionate conversation. They had experienced what it felt like for their teammates to deliver in the midst of a storm.
We talk a lot about trust, but do we look for ways to turn our words into action? Do we consistently come through for others when they need us? Do we look for ways to do good? Can we be depended upon to sacrifice ourselves for others when there is no recognition or gain for us?
Choose to build trust by consistently doing good for others and you will make a difference.
Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership
At Areté, Trust is the lifeblood of integrity-focused leadership. It serves as the foundational element that connects our leaders with their teams, stakeholders, and the broader mission of our organization. When leaders operate with unwavering integrity, you earn the trust of those around you, creating a ripple effect that permeates every level of the organization. This trust produces an environment where open communication, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving thrive, as team members feel valued, understood, and confident in their leader's ethical guidance. Through this trust, you can inspire and mobilize your teams toward shared goals, navigate challenges with transparency, and foster a culture where ethical practices are not just encouraged but expected. Trust in integrity-focused leadership is not just important—it's indispensable for cultivating a resilient, ethical, and high-performing organization.
“Trust is like the air we breathe.
When it’s present, no one really notices. When it’s absent, everyone notices.”
For Supervisors, Trust is vital in maintaining high standards and ensuring ethical behavior among front-line employees. Acting with integrity builds trust, encouraging team members to adhere to company policies and ethical guidelines. This trust creates a positive work atmosphere, where employees feel respected and valued. Through trust, you can promote open communication, address issues promptly, and maintain high levels of productivity and morale. Join us as we explore Trust in more detail!
Trust Skills Self-Assessment
Below, you will encounter a series of statements related to effective communication practices. Please rate your agreement with each statement using the following Likert scale:
1 - Strongly Disagree: I struggle significantly with this aspect of trust.
2 - Disagree: I have some difficulty with this aspect of trust.
3 - Neutral: I am neither particularly skilled nor unskilled in this aspect of trust
4 - Agree: I am proficient and generally successful in this aspect of trust.
5 - Strongly Agree: I excel at this aspect of trust.
