How Trust Affects Team Morale

Last week, my Gen Z staff texted me at 10:47pm. "I need to talk to you about something." My heart sank. In my experience, late-night conversations that start like this end with resignations. "I've been here 1 year," he said. "And I've noticed something about you." Here it comes, I thought. The criticism. The resignation. The— "You're the only boss I've had who admits when you're wrong." Wait, what? He continued: "Remember when you insisted on that new intake system? It failed spectacularly. But instead of blaming us, you called a meeting and said 'I messed up. Let's fix this together.'" That conversation changed how I think about leadership. Here's what I've learned running a 7-figure law firm with 15+ team members: → Vulnerability creates loyalty → Admitting mistakes builds trust → "I don't know" is a complete sentence → Your team already knows you're not perfect The old Jimmy would've pretended to have all the answers. Failed the bar 3 times? Hide it. B- grades? Never mention them. Spending $five figures/month on ads that aren't working? Keep quiet. But here's the thing: My team doesn't follow me because I'm perfect. They follow me because I'm real. Last month, I made a $20K mistake. Old me would've buried it. Instead, I called an all-hands meeting: "I screwed up. Here's what happened. Here's what we're doing to fix it. Here's how we'll prevent it next time." You know what happened? Three attorneys shared their own recent mistakes. We created a new review system together. Team morale went UP, not down. The most dangerous leaders are the ones who can't say these five words: "I don't know. Help me." Your team isn't looking for perfection. They're looking for humanity. P.S. That Gen Z staff who texted me late at night? He asked for more responsibility, not to quit. He's now our intake manager. P.P.S. To every leader pretending to have it all figured out: Your team knows. They're just waiting for you to admit it.

Trust is built in drops and lost in buckets, and we’re running out of buckets. If you're leading teams through #AI adoption, navigating #hybrid work, or just steering through the tempest that is 2025, there's a crucial factor that could make or break your success: #trust. And right now, it's in free fall. Edelman's Trust Barometer showed an "unprecedented decline in employer trust" -- the first time in their 25 years tracking that trust in business fell. It's no surprise: midnight #layoff emails, "do more with less," #RTO mandates, and fears of #GenAI displacement given CEO focus on efficiency are all factors. The loss of #trust will impact performance. The Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) research shows high performing organizations have 10-11X higher trust between employees and leaders. Trust impacts #engagement, #innovation and #technology adoption, especially AI. My latest newsletter gets beyond the research and into what leaders can do today to start rebuilding trust You can't command-and-control your way through a complete overhaul of how we work... Trust is a two-way street. Leaders need to go first, but we also have to rebuild the gives-and-takes of employer/employee relationships. Three starting points: 1️⃣ Clear Goals, Real Accountability. Stop monitoring attendance and start measuring outcomes. Give teams clear goals and autonomy in how they achieve them. 2️⃣ Transparency with Guardrails. Break down information silos. Share context behind decisions openly - even difficult ones. Establish guardrails for meaningful conversations internally (instead of rock-throwing externally). 3️⃣ Show Vulnerability. Saying "I don't know" isn't weakness–it's an invitation for others to contribute. The word “vulnerability” seems anathema to too many public figures at the moment, who instead are ready to lock themselves in the Octagon with their opponents. But what’s tougher for them: taking a swing at someone, or admitting to their own limitations? This isn't just about CEOs. Great leaders show up at all levels of the org chart, creating "trust bubbles:" pockets of high performance inside even the most challenging environments. If you're one of those folks, thank you for what you do! 👉 Link to the newsletter in comments; please read (it's free) and let me know what you think! #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Management #Culture

Conflict is created in a vacuum. Ever felt that uneasy silence in the office when new policies are announced, or sales numbers fall behind? That quiet can be more damaging than we realize. In the absence of clear communication, people fill in the gaps. And when those gaps aren’t filled by leadership, rumors and worst-case assumptions step in to take their place. Last week, I was reminded of a crucial principle from “Leadership Strategy and Tactics” by Jocko Willink: as leaders, we have to speak the truth—even the hard truths. Sure, transparency might seem risky, especially when morale is on the line. But people can sense when you’re sugarcoating or holding back. And when that happens, trust erodes faster than any dip in numbers ever could. Being upfront doesn’t mean spreading alarm—it’s about addressing reality with tact. If your team senses there’s something you’re avoiding, they’ll read into it, and the conclusions they draw often paint a much worse picture than the truth. Instead, set realistic expectations, explain the challenges, and acknowledge when things are tough. That honest connection strengthens morale, even in difficult times. If you’re leading a team through uncertainty or conflict, be honest with your people before the vacuum takes over. Keep people informed, invite open dialogue, and stay grounded in the truth. It’s a tough balance, but it’s the only way to prevent the ripple effect of silence. As a leader, you should ensure everyone feels grounded and equipped to handle the reality at hand. Leadership isn’t about protecting people from discomfort; it’s about building a resilient team that trusts one another and works through these uncomfortable challenges together.

Unpopular Opinion: It doesn't matter how many days a week you bring people back to the office if your organization lacks employee trust. I recently had a conversation with a young professional who believed that they couldn't speak up within their organization because, at one point, they were told by their manager that they didn't have enough experience to have an opinion. This type of behavior damages the individual's personal career growth, including their ability to develop the skills and experience if they don't feel like they can question their own assumptions and the assumptions of others. It also damages the overall organization's ability to succeed since it prevents people from bringing their best ideas forward and working together collaboratively and productively. Yet, in all the conversations around RTO from leaders, so much is centered around a need for more productivity and innovation. Trust is the glue that holds teams together, empowers individuals, and creates an environment where employees feel valued and supported. When employees trust their employers and colleagues, they are more likely to be engaged in their work, perform at their best, and take risks that lead to innovation. Numerous studies have highlighted the significant impact of trust on organizational success. According to a study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, companies with high levels of trust experience 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity levels, and 76% higher engagement rates compared to low-trust organizations. So how can employers cultivate trust in the workplace? It's not by getting people to show up to the office more. Here are a few key strategies: 1️⃣ Lead by example: Trust starts at the top. Employers must demonstrate trustworthiness through their actions and decisions. When leaders consistently act with integrity, transparency, and fairness, it sets the tone for a culture of trust throughout the organization. 2️⃣ Foster open communication: Encourage open dialogue and active listening within teams. When employees feel heard and valued, they are likelier to trust their colleagues and share ideas freely. Regular team meetings, feedback sessions, and opportunities for collaboration can all contribute to building trust. 3️⃣ Provide autonomy and empowerment: Trust goes hand in hand with giving employees the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. When individuals feel trusted and empowered, they are more likely to go above and beyond, take calculated risks, and develop innovative solutions. 4️⃣ Recognize and reward trust: Acknowledge and appreciate trustworthy behavior. Recognize employees who consistently demonstrate trustworthiness and create a culture where trust is celebrated. This can be done through public recognition, rewards, or small gestures like a simple thank you. #management #leadership #returntooffice #employeeexperience #employeeengagment #trust

Trust isn't given, it's earned with every action. And in leadership, it's your most valuable asset. In uncertain times, your actions define you. Here's the reality: Your behavior sets the tone for everyone on your team: What you hide ➟ breeds suspicion. How you communicate ➟ shapes perceptions. Who you empower ➟ reveals your true values. It's time to disarm these top 5 trust-killers: 1. Lack of transparency. ↳ Share decision processes, even the messy ones. 2. Inconsistency between words and actions. ↳ Align what you say with what you do. Always. 3. Prioritizing self-interest over others'. ↳ Put stakeholders' needs first. It pays off. 4. Avoiding difficult conversations. ↳ Address concerns head-on. Silence breeds distrust. 5. Failing to admit mistakes. ↳ Own your errors. It shows integrity. Trust is the foundation of high-performing teams. It creates a ripple effect throughout the organization: • Enhanced collaboration: Trust breaks down silos, encouraging open communication and idea-sharing. • Increased productivity: Team members spend less time second-guessing decisions and more time executing. • Higher employee retention: Trusted leaders inspire loyalty, reducing turnover and associated costs. • Improved innovation: Team members feel empowered to take calculated risks and propose creative solutions. • Greater resilience: Teams are better equipped to navigate challenges and adapt to change. Ready to transform your trust? Don't just talk about it. Make it your competitive advantage. If you found this valuable: • Repost for your network ♻️ • Follow me for more deep dives • Join 25,500+ subscribers for more actionable tips to build your brand and protect your reputation: https://lnkd.in/edPWpFRR