Strategies to Build Trust in Workplace Relationships

Trust is the bedrock of any high-performing team. As someone who has led multiple organizations and coached executives across industries like real estate and nonprofits, I’ve seen firsthand how trust—or the lack of it—can make or break a team. Drawing from my experiences, failures, and lessons learned, here are three key strategies to build trust within your organization, inspired by insights from Patrick Lencioni’s *The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team*. 1. Set the Tone as a Leader Trust starts at the top. As a leader, you cannot expect your team to foster trust if you’re not actively modeling it. This means creating a culture where openness and collaboration are valued over perfection. I’ve failed in this area before, believing I had to have all the answers. But I’ve learned that projecting invincibility sends a message to your team: “I don’t need you.” That kills trust. Instead, lead by example. Ask for input, listen to your team’s ideas, and show them their voices matter. Building trust isn’t about being flawless—it’s about being authentic and approachable. 2. Embrace Vulnerability Patrick Lencioni emphasizes that trust is rooted in vulnerability, and I couldn’t agree more. For many leaders, admitting mistakes or sharing challenges feels counterintuitive. We’re conditioned to think we need to appear perfect. But perfectionism builds walls, not trust. When you make a mistake, own it. Share it with your team, not to dwell on failure, but to highlight that errors are part of growth. By openly discussing your challenges and uncertainties, you create a safe space for your team to do the same. This vulnerability fosters a culture where learning from mistakes is celebrated, not hidden, strengthening trust across the board. 3. Invest in Relationships Trust doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional effort. One of the most effective ways to build trust is by getting to know your team members as individuals. Take time to learn about their lives, families, hobbies, and aspirations. This shows you value them beyond their job titles. A simple way to start? Engage in meaningful conversations. On a Monday morning, don’t just ask, “How was your weekend?” and move on. Listen actively and ask follow-up questions. For example, if a team member mentions trying a new restaurant, ask what they ordered or how they liked it. These small moments signal that you see and appreciate them as people. Over time, these interactions build a foundation of trust, showing your team they’re valued and understood. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Whether you’re a leader or a team member, what’s one experience where trust was built well in your organization? Share in the comments below! 20/20 Foresight Executive Talent Solutions #Leadership #BuildingTrust

Trust doesn't come from your accomplishments. It comes from quiet moves like these: For years I thought I needed more experience, achievements, and wins to earn trust. But real trust isn't built through credentials. It's earned in small moments, consistent choices, and subtle behaviors that others notice - even when you think they don't. Here are 15 quiet moves that instantly build trust 👇🏼 1. You close open loops, catching details others miss ↳ Send 3-bullet wrap-ups after meetings. Reliability builds. 2. You name tension before it gets worse ↳ Name what you sense: "The energy feels different today" 3. You speak softly in tense moments ↳ Lower your tone slightly when making key points. Watch others lean in. 4. You stay calm when others panic, leading with stillness ↳ Take three slow breaths before responding. Let your calm spread. 5. You make space for quiet voices ↳ Ask "What perspective haven't we heard yet?", then wait. 6. You remember and reference what others share ↳ Keep a Key Details note for each relationship in your phone. 7. You replace "but" with "and" to keep doors open ↳ Practice "I hear you, and here's what's possible" 8. You show up early with presence and intention ↳ Close laptop, turn phone face down 2 minutes before others arrive. 9. You speak up for absent team members ↳ Start with "X made an important point about this last week" 10. You turn complaints into possibility ↳ Replace "That won't work" with "Let's experiment with..." 11. You build in space for what really matters ↳ Block 10 min buffers between meetings. Others will follow. 12. You keep small promises to build trust bit by bit ↳ Keep a "promises made" note in your phone. Track follow-through. 13. You protect everyone's time, not just your own ↳ End every meeting 5 minutes early. Set the standard. 14. You ask questions before jumping to fixes ↳ Lead with "What have you tried so far?" before suggesting solutions. 15. You share credit for wins and own responsibility for misses ↳ Use "we" for successes, "I" for challenges. Watch trust grow. Your presence speaks louder than your resume. Trust is earned in these quiet moments. Which move will you practice first? Share below 👇🏼 -- ♻️ Repost to help your network build authentic trust without the struggle 🔔 Follow me Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies on leading with quiet impact

People often ask me for quick ways to build trust on a team. I have a dozen solid go-to moves, but one stands out because it’s dead simple and nearly always works. You’ve probably heard of the “connection before content” idea—starting meetings with a personal check-in to warm up the room. But let’s be honest: questions like “What’s your favorite color?” or “What five things would you bring on a deserted island?” don’t build trust. They just waste time. If you want a real trust-builder, here’s the question I use: “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄?” That’s it. One question. And here’s why it works: 𝟭. It creates vulnerability without forcing it. You can’t answer this question without being a little real. And when someone’s real with you, it’s hard not to trust them more. You see the human behind the role. 𝟮. It unlocks practical support. Once I hear your challenge, I can picture how to help. I feel drawn to back you up. That’s the foundation of real partnership at work. 𝟯. It increases mutual understanding. Sometimes we feel disconnected from teammates because we don’t know what they actually do all day. When someone shares a challenge, it opens a window into their work and the complexity they’re navigating. If you’re short on time, allergic to fluff, and want something that actually bonds your team—this is your move. Ten minutes, and you’ll feel the shift."