Building Trust with Your Team: Where to Start When It Feels Hard

Trust is one of the foundations of leadership. Without it, even the most talented leaders find it difficult to align their teams, navigate conflict, or create the kind of environment where people can do their best work. With it, everything becomes easier: collaboration flows, people give one another the benefit of the doubt, and leaders can focus on vision and strategy instead of firefighting.

And yet, when trust feels low, it can be hard to know where to begin. In my coaching conversations, leaders often ask: What do I do when it feels like the trust just isn’t there? Do you start with a bold gesture, a new initiative, or a team offsite? In reality, trust is rebuilt most powerfully through small, steady actions. These micro-deposits accumulate over time, turning even a depleted trust account into a strong foundation for the future.

Trust as a Bank Account

One of the most practical ways to think about building trust in leadership is as a bank account. Every interaction with your team is either a deposit or a withdrawal. Small, steady deposits such as keeping commitments, listening with care, and being transparent grow the balance. Withdrawals happen when promises are broken, expertise is exaggerated, or people sense hidden agendas.

The most effective way to build trust with your team is through micro-deposits. These are small, everyday actions that send the signal, “I am here for you, and I can be counted on.” When the account is healthy, occasional mistakes do not drain it. When it is empty, even small withdrawals feel costly.

This metaphor often resonates in leadership coaching because it makes something abstract, trust, concrete and actionable.

Four Components for Building Trust

To make the idea of trust practical, it helps to break it into parts. The framework below is adapted from The Trusted Advisor by David Maister, Charles Green, and Robert Galford. In my coaching and leadership development work, I often use it to help leaders see where trust is strong and where it may need reinforcement.

Credibility: People trust you when they believe you know what you are talking about. This comes from both honesty and relevant expertise. Leaders build credibility by grounding their words in knowledge, staying current in their field, owning their limits, and demonstrating sound judgment.

Reliability: Consistency builds trust. When you do what you say you will, show up prepared, keep even the small promises, and provide updates along the way, people come to see you as dependable and steady.

Intimacy: Trust deepens when people feel safe sharing with you, and when you share of yourself in return. Leaders who show empathy, respect confidentiality, and allow their own humanity to be visible create stronger, more authentic connections.

Other-Orientation: Trust erodes when people sense it is all about you. It builds when you show genuine interest in others, put their needs first, and focus on shared goals. Other-orientation is about service, curiosity, and generosity.

Building Trust in Practice

Knowing the components of trust is one thing; applying them in your daily leadership is another. Trust is built in conversations, commitments, and choices made moment by moment.

A practical way to strengthen trust is to choose one relationship where you want to improve trust and reflect on it through these four components.

First, ask yourself: Where is the account healthy, and where might it be underfunded?

Then identify a few micro-deposits you can make. These do not need to be dramatic. The smaller and more consistent, the better.

Here is a guide to help you pinpoint what to focus on:

Looks Like:

Micro-Deposits If There is a Gap

• Micro-Deposits If There is a GapShare relevant experience and lessons learned from your own career.

• Stay current by bringing in new research, industry trends, or data.

• Say “I do not know” and commit to finding out.

• Back up your ideas with examples or evidence.

• Ask colleagues with more expertise to contribute, showing humility.

Micro-Deposits if There’s a Gap

Trust Component	Signs You’re Building Trust	Micro-Deposits if There’s a Gap
Credibility	You share informed perspectives; people seek your input; you admit what you do not know.	Share relevant experience and lessons learned from your own career. Stay current by bringing in new research, industry trends, or data. Say “I do not know” and commit to finding out. Back up your ideas with examples or evidence. Ask colleagues with more expertise to contribute, showing humility.
Reliability	You meet commitments consistently; you are prepared; others describe you as steady.	Deliver small tasks on time to build momentum. Keep meeting notes and follow up on action items. Confirm agreements in writing so expectations are clear. Communicate early when timelines change. Provide regular progress reports so people know where things stand. Create consistent check-ins to show follow-through. Underpromise and overdeliver where possible.
Intimacy	People confide in you; conversations go beyond surface level; you share appropriately about yourself.	Ask “How are you, really?” and listen without rushing. Share your own challenges or mistakes to normalize vulnerability. Respect confidentiality and avoid gossip. Notice when someone seems off and check in with care. Offer appreciation in a personal, specific way. Acknowledge emotions in the room instead of glossing over them.
Other-Orientation	You focus on others’ needs; you give credit; people feel you have their back.	Ask what success looks like for the other person before sharing your own view. Celebrate team achievements publicly and give credit generously. Use “we” more than “I” in team contexts. Open conversations with curiosity: “What matters most to you here?” Step back to let others take the spotlight. Be transparent about your motives so others do not have to guess.

Why This Matters for Leadership

Building trust is one of the most strategic moves a leader can make. High-trust teams are more resilient, adapt faster to change, and are more engaged in their work. Low-trust environments, on the other hand, drain energy, slow down decision-making, and drive talented people away.

This is why trust-building comes up so often in leadership coaching. Leaders are often surprised by how much progress they can make with just a few deliberate actions once they have a framework for where to start.

Final Reflection

Trust will never be built all at once. It grows through hundreds of small actions that add up over time. For leaders, one of the most important questions is: Where can I make a deposit today?

Even one micro-deposit, listening carefully, following through on a small commitment, or acknowledging someone’s effort, can begin to change the balance. Over time, those deposits accumulate into a strong foundation for leadership.

If you are a leader looking to build stronger trust within your team, or an organization seeking to strengthen trust across your leadership culture, coaching or facilitated leadership development experiences can help. These spaces create room for reflection, shared learning, and the consistent practices that make trust a lived reality.

The Importance of Trust in Leadership

Trust is not just a nice-to-have; it is essential for effective leadership. When trust is present, teams can communicate openly. They can share ideas without fear of judgment. This openness leads to innovation and creativity.

Conversely, when trust is lacking, teams may withhold information. They may avoid taking risks. This can stifle growth and hinder progress. As leaders, we must prioritize trust-building as a core component of our leadership strategy.

Practical Steps to Foster Trust

1. Model Vulnerability: Share your own challenges and mistakes. This encourages others to do the same.

2. Encourage Open Dialogue: Create a safe space for team members to express their thoughts and feelings.

3. Recognize Contributions: Acknowledge the efforts of your team members regularly. This builds a sense of belonging.

4. Be Transparent: Share your decision-making processes. This helps others understand your perspective and motives.

5. Follow Through: Consistently meet your commitments. This reinforces your reliability and strengthens trust.

   
   

Building a Culture of Trust

To create a culture of trust, we must embed these practices into our daily routines. It is not enough to focus on trust-building during specific initiatives. Instead, it should be a continuous effort.

Encourage your team to share their ideas and feedback. Regularly check in with them to see how they are feeling. By making trust a priority, we can cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to lead.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trust is the bedrock of effective leadership. It is built through consistent, small actions that demonstrate our commitment to our teams. As we navigate change, let us remember that every interaction is an opportunity to build trust. By focusing on these practices, we can create a thriving environment where everyone can lead with purpose.

If you are ready to strengthen your leadership skills and foster a culture of trust within your organization, consider coaching or engaging in leadership development programs. Together, we can navigate change and build a brighter future.