Trust Is the Foundation of Every Thriving Organization
Every leader understands the power of trust. Without it, even the most well-planned strategies will collapse under the weight of doubt and hesitation. Trust is the currency of leadership.
A leader may have the blueprint for a spectacular home, but if the foundation is cracked, nothing great can thrive.
In my book, Big Shoes to Fill, I discuss the challenge of following a beloved—or bemoaned—leader. One of my coaching clients is navigating this exact challenge. The two previous leaders in his organization were toxic, repeatedly breaking trust with their team. Now, as the new leader, he faces an uphill battle: rebuilding trust in a space that has lacked it for years.
He’s from the industry but not an insider to the organization. He has no existing relational capital with the team.
Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. What would you do?
Now, switch perspectives. How would you react if you were on this team?
Trust Must Be Given and Received
Regardless of how well a leader leads, trust is a two-way street. In nearly every team, some members are willing to extend trust quickly, and others hold back due to past experiences.
For this new leader, the problem isn’t just his leadership. His team has spent years under untrustworthy leadership. They obeyed commands, but they never felt safe.
The result? A culture of suspicion.
Even when a new leader behaves trustworthy, gaining trust isn’t automatic. The team’s history creates a “been there, done that” mindset.
Trust Isn’t Given Lightly—And For Good Reason
Think of it like an abusive relationship. A person who’s been hurt multiple times doesn’t automatically trust the next person who comes along.
An organization functions in the same way. When employees experience a pattern of broken trust, they develop self-protective habits. Even if they want to trust, past wounds make it difficult.
Leaders must recognize that they are stepping into a relational environment. It’s not just about setting new policies or casting vision—it’s about understanding and repairing emotional damage.
How to Rebuild Trust as a Leader
Every leader wants to be worth following. But trust isn’t built through titles—it’s earned through consistent character and competency.
The deeper the wounds of distrust, the longer the healing process. The leader I mentioned earlier has been in his role for nine months. Culture is shifting. Trust is forming. But occasionally, old wounds resurface.
For example, when he needed to close a company branch, his team defaulted to fear and skepticism—even though the decision was well-supported and logical. The ghosts of past leadership missteps still haunt the organization.
This is why trust-building must be intentional and continuous. Here’s how to start:
1. Focus on Your Own Character First
Trust starts with who you are, not what you do.
- Leaders with high character put others first.
- Leaders with low character seek credit, power, and validation.
If trust feels out of reach, ask yourself: Am I leading for my benefit or theirs?
If insecurity drives your leadership, it might be time for deeper personal work—possibly even counseling—to rewrite unhealthy leadership habits.
2. Grow Your Competence
Character builds credibility, but competence builds confidence.
- What are you great at?
- Where do you struggle?
- How does your team perceive your strengths and weaknesses?
Leaders often assume they know their skills. But your team’s perspective matters more. If you’re unsure where you stand, ask.
Pro Tip: If psychological safety is low, use an anonymous survey to gather honest feedback.
3. Over-Communicate Decisions and Intentions
Toxic leadership leaves people skeptical of silence.
When trust is low, people fill in the blanks—with worst-case scenarios. To combat this:
✅ Be clear about why decisions are made
✅ Be transparent about how decisions are made
✅ Welcome questions and concerns
The goal isn’t just to inform—it’s to dispel fear.
4. Make Trust Deposits Before You Need Withdrawals
Think of trust like a bank account.
- Every act of honesty, consistency, and fairness deposits trust.
- Every broken promise or secretive move withdraws trust.
If trust levels are low, make small, daily deposits before you expect people to believe in you fully.
5. Own Past Organizational Failures (Even If They Aren’t Yours)
The best leaders don’t ignore the past—they address it.
If your team has been burned by previous leadership, acknowledge it. Saying “That was before me” doesn’t erase the impact of past harm.
Instead, say:
🗣 “I know this team has been through tough leadership seasons. I won’t ask you to trust me overnight. But I will earn it, day by day.”
Trust is rarely rebuilt through a single event—it’s regained through a pattern of trustworthy actions.
Final Thought: Trust Is a Leadership Investment
If you’re leading in a workplace scarred by past toxicity, remember: Trust isn’t a light switch—it’s a dimmer.
Your team won’t trust you all at once. But if you lead with character, competence, and consistency, trust can be restored.
It takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Call to Action:
Struggling to rebuild trust in your organization? Let’s work through it together. Visit gavinadams.com to explore leadership coaching options, or check out the Church Accelerator Community for insights and tools tailored for church leaders.
Quotes for Inspiration:
“Trust is built in drops and lost in buckets.” – Kevin Plank
“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” – Ernest Hemingway
“The glue that holds all relationships together is trust, and trust is based on integrity.” – Brian Tracy
Resources for Further Learning:
📖 The Speed of Trust – Stephen M.R. Covey
🎧 Leadership and Trust – Andy Stanley Podcast
📚 Big Shoes to Fill – Gavin Adams
One More Thing…
If you found this helpful, please pass it along to other leaders (and encourage them to subscribe!).
If you’re ready to accelerate your leadership, I’d be honored to help. Visit gavinadams.com to explore my systemic approach to leadership development and schedule a 30-minute conversation.
If you’re a church leader, be sure to visit the Church Accelerator Community.
Leading WITH You,
Gavin
