April 12, 2022
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Running a business isn't the same thing as leading one.
If you're hitting your targets, paying the bills, keeping revenue trending in the right direction, you might look in the mirror at the end of the day and feel like you're doing a good job.
But here's the thing…
Doing a good job and becoming a leader your team will follow aren't one and the same. Between those two things is a chasm. The space between hitting your numbers and watching your people do their best work every day.
Trust fills that space.
Building trust isn't soft skills nonsense. If you want to take your team to the next level it is the single most important thing you can do.
Here's how to build trust as a leader.
Running a business is a series of tasks. Leading it is all about building belief.
It shows up in every aspect of your team's performance. How they respond to the hard decisions. How quickly mistakes are brought to your attention. Whether they go above and beyond on a project or do the bare minimum and call it a day.
Leadership Trust Stats
Here's one to really chew on…
Less than half of employees say that their company's leadership prioritises trust. That means most leaders are asking their employees to follow them without giving them a reason why they should.
According to one survey, only 34% of employees said leadership at their company gave trust building appropriate attention.
This isn't an issue with finding talented people to do the job. Leaders who build trust have learned to prioritise the right qualities.
The leadership qualities that matter when it comes to building trust:
Those are the qualities that make employees want to work hard for your business. Those are the qualities that separate leaders from the managers they once were.
When something goes wrong, a manager will always protect the process. Leaders will protect their people. Sometimes, that means making the tough calls to shake things up. But when employees know that you have their backs, they'll give you theirs.
Low trust drains your team's energy and your budget.
Just as people won't follow a leader they don't trust, they also won't engage with their work the same way. Disengaged employees are looking for the exit. They aren't motivated to solve problems or go above and beyond.
Trust may feel high-level, but employee trust in leadership directly correlates to profitability. That means every leader who ignores trust is leaving money on the table.
Low trust:
When employees trust their leaders, they're 4x more likely to be engaged at work. That comes at a very real cost to businesses who fail to lead with trust.
Trust is a competitive advantage most leaders don't realise they're giving away for free.
It can feel tough to build trust as a leader. Especially if your team has already lost trust in your leadership.
The good news? Leadership trust issues can be resolved. Building trust starts with:
Consistency.
Show people that you can be counted on by keeping your commitments, no matter how big or small. Say what you're going to do and actually do it. People trust patterns and predictability.
Communication.
Great leaders are transparent with their communication. Not sharing everything, but talking about what they know and can share. Employees understand when things are uncertain. They won't trust you if you won't let them in.
Credit and Accountability.
Celebrate your team wins publicly and take responsibility for your mistakes personally. Everyone wants to follow a leader with integrity. Demonstrate that you possess it.
Listen more than you speak.
This goes hand in hand with great communication. But there's something to be said for just listening sometimes. Employees who know their leaders listen to their concerns will speak up when they need help. Which helps everyone.
Busy leaders don't have time for avoiding trust. Here's how to trust your team.
Trust them.
It sounds strange but trust is a two way street. You have to be willing to trust your team. Empower them to do their best work and they will likely return the favour.
Every leader wants to be told they are doing a great job. But when it comes to building trust, leaders want to hear what they can improve.
Being a good leader isn't about overhauling your personality. It's knowing what matters and leaning into it:
There is never a reason to distrust a team of people who are giving their best effort. As a leader, it's on you to create an environment where that's the expected standard.
Building trust starts with you.
Here's what employees want their leaders to know:
Trust starts with your actions. Learn to lead with those qualities in mind and watch your team excel.
Ready to lead with trust?
Running a business isn't leadership. It's just meeting the needs of customers day in and day out.
Leading a business means trusting your team to do the same. Taking that leap. When you do, you'll notice a change. In your team's performance. Their willingness to communicate. And, of course, their level of engagement at work.
Building trust starts with small daily actions.
Here's the review:
Trust your team and they will trust you right back.
Now it's your turn to lead.
Managing is about overseeing tasks, hitting targets, and keeping operations running smoothly. Leading, on the other hand, is about building belief and trust. A leader inspires their team to perform at their best because they feel supported and valued, not just managed.
Low trust directly hurts your bottom line. It leads to disengaged employees who are less productive and more likely to leave, increasing hiring costs. It also slows down decision-making and stifles innovation, preventing your business from growing effectively.
Start with consistency. Do what you say you will do. Communicate openly about what you can share, even during uncertain times. When things go well, give your team public credit. When they go wrong, take personal accountability. These actions form the foundation of trust.
Trust is a two-way street. When you empower your team by trusting them to do their best work, you demonstrate confidence in their abilities. This encourages them to take ownership and reciprocate that trust, creating a more collaborative and high-performing environment.
Yes, a skilled business coach can provide valuable perspective and strategy. Experts like those at Robin Waite Limited can help you identify specific behaviours and communication styles that build trust, guiding you to develop the qualities needed for true leadership.
