Build trust before you need it

Being in a fast moving car with a driver you don’t trust is not fun.

Last week I wrote about the first driving lesson I gave my daughter as she turned 16. It’s crucial to have built a foundation of trust well before you find yourself in potentially precarious situations—like the passenger seat with a new driver!

If you find yourself facing a high-stakes situation without trust in each other, it’s like entering a freeway before you’ve mastered the basics of driving. The results can be predictably chaotic.

Investing time in building trust is not just about improving current dynamics but ensuring you have that safety net when you most need it.

Imagine if I hadn’t spent years building a trusting relationship with my daughter. Our driving lesson could have been fraught with tension and miscommunication, potentially leading to mistakes and mishaps. Instead, because (I hope) she knew she could rely on me, she was more comfortable and confident, even when making those first tentative turns.

These lovely stock image people are not my daughter and me.

Similarly, consider how trust impacts agility and resilience within your team. When trust is already in place, your team can act more quickly and effectively because they believe in the structures, in you and in each other. They're not second-guessing intentions or doubting capabilities, which leads to better decision-making and innovation.

For leaders, it’s essential to start building these trust bridges early. Just as we discussed setting the right environment for a learner driver—clear boundaries, the right tools, and a safe space for making mistakes—so too must we have an environment in our teams that promotes security and confidence. This could be through regular one-on-ones, transparent communication, and by showing genuine care and interest in individual team members' professional growth and personal well-being.

Let's continue this conversation— what strategies have you found effective in building and maintaining trust ahead of time?

Until next week,

Take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

I help accomplished professionals untangle difficult career questions so they can thrive in work and life.

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