Trust Me, I Know What I'm Talking About (Building Trust to Build a Kick-Ass Team)

Alright, comrades, let's talk trust. In my last post, you can find here, I hammered home the importance of high expectations. But here's the cold, hard truth: you can't push your team to greatness if they don't trust you. It's like trying to launch a rocket with a wet firecracker – it's just not gonna happen.

Think of it this way: trust is the fuel that powers high-performance teams. And just like premium fuel gets you more miles, high trust gets you more…well, more awesomeness.

The Trust Equation: Why "Trust and Verify" is B.S. (For Engineers, Anyway)

You've probably heard the phrase "trust and verify." Sounds reasonable, right? Except it's a trust killer. It's like saying, "I trust you, but I'm also going to double-check everything you do because, you know, just in case." That's not trust; that's paranoia.

• You Can Only Push as Far as They Trust: Remember, you can only push someone as far as they trust you. Someone that only trusts you a little bit you can only push them a little bit. If someone trusts you a lot you can push them a lot.
• Trust Means Believing in Their Best Interests: True trust means your team believes you genuinely care about their well-being. They believe you're looking out for them, not just your own agenda.
• Trust Begets Trust: If you want your team to trust you, you have to trust them first. It's a two-way street, not a one-way dictatorship.

Building the Trust Fortress: Transparency, Vulnerability, and the Art of Not Being a Jerk

So, how do you build this trust fortress? It's not about throwing trust-building exercises or team-bonding retreats (though those can be fun). It's about consistent actions that demonstrate you're a leader worthy of trust.

• Transparency is Your Superpower: Honesty, even when it's uncomfortable, is crucial. Don't hide behind corporate jargon or vague platitudes. Explain the "why" behind decisions, even the tough ones.
• Career Development is Not a Buzzword: Invest in your team's growth. Help them develop their skills, even if it means they might eventually move on.
• Walk the Talk: Your actions must align with your words. If you say you value work-life balance, don't send emails at 3 a.m. If you say you want the best engineering team, make sure your actions reflect that goal.
• Pay Parity and PTO: Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Things like pay parity and a flexible PTO policy go a long way. When everyone knows they are being treated fairly, they can focus on the work, not on internal politics.

The Art of Forgiveness: Building Trust in the Repair

Even the best teams have hiccups. Someone will inevitably make a mistake, break a rule, or otherwise screw up. That's when true trust is tested.

• Don't Just Throw Trust Away: When someone messes up, don't immediately revoke their trust. Have a conversation, explain why their actions were problematic, and emphasize that you still believe in them.
• The Relationship is Made in the Repair: The strongest relationships are forged in moments of conflict. How you handle those moments will determine whether your team trusts you.
• Give Them a Second Chance (and a Third, and Maybe Even a Fourth): People make mistakes. Give them the opportunity to learn and grow from them. Show them you believe they can do better.

The Vision Thing: Aligning Your Team Behind a Shared Goal

A strong vision is essential for building a cohesive and motivated team.

• Your Team's Vision Matters: Even if the company's overall vision isn't inspiring, create a vision for your team. "We're going to be the best engineering team anyone has ever worked with" is a powerful motivator.
• Align Actions With Vision: If your vision is to be the best, then your actions have to reflect that.
• Don't Just Manage, Lead: When you lead, you inspire. When you inspire, you create a team that wants to follow you.

The Takeaway: Trust First, Always

• You cannot push someone more than they trust you.
• Learn to trust your team first, without conditions.
• Build trust through transparency, vulnerability, and consistent actions.
• Forgive mistakes and build relationships in the repair.
• Align your team behind a shared vision.

Building trust isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process. But the rewards are immeasurable. A team that trusts you will go above and beyond, push themselves to new heights, and ultimately, build something truly extraordinary. Now go out there and earn their trust, one transparent conversation at a time.