Trust is the cornerstone of any successful organization. It’s the invisible glue that holds teams together, fosters collaboration, and drives innovation. However, trust is fragile and can be easily shattered by the actions of leaders and team members. As an executive leadership coach, I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of trust-breaking mistakes in organizations. Lets explore the ten common trust-breaking mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
Lack of Transparency: Failing to communicate openly and honestly about decisions, changes, or challenges erodes trust. Leaders must prioritize transparency to build and maintain trust.
Broken Promises: Not following through on commitments damages credibility. Consistently delivering on promises is essential for trust-building.
Micro-Managing: Excessive control and micromanagement signal a lack of trust in employees’ abilities. Trust your team to execute their tasks competently.
Playing Favorites: Favoritism undermines trust by creating perceptions of bias. Leaders must treat all team members fairly and equitably.
Withholding Information: Keeping vital information from team members breeds suspicion. Share information promptly and comprehensively.
Ignoring Feedback: Failing to listen to and act upon feedback alienates team members. Actively seek and address concerns and suggestions.
Taking Credit for Others’ Work: Claiming credit for others’ achievements destroys trust. Acknowledge and celebrate team members’ contributions.
Passing Blame: Shifting blame onto others instead of taking responsibility harms trust. Leaders should own up to their mistakes and work on solutions.
Lack of Empathy: Insensitive behavior and a lack of empathy undermine trust. Show compassion and understanding towards team members’ challenges.
Inconsistent Values: Misaligning actions with organizational values erodes trust in leadership. Leaders must exemplify and reinforce the organization’s core values.
True leadership is built on a foundation of trust. By avoiding these trust-breaking mistakes, you’ll not only enhance your leadership skills but also contribute to a more trusting and successful organization.
Lead From Within: The best leaders know that trust is hard-won but easily lost, so they should safeguard it diligently.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- The Best Way for Leaders to Build Trust
- Great Leaders Don’t Say Just Trust Me
- Trust Matters. Learn How to Earn It and Keep It
- How the Best Leaders Build Trust
- People Trust Leaders Who Have These 5 Powerful Habits
- Never, Ever Trust A Leader Who Does These Things
- How Successful Leaders Build Trust with their People
- How to Build Trust In A Room When You Need It Most
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.