Why Leaders Lose Trust: 7 Trust Pitfalls to Avoid
At Leader Loop, we often speak to people managers who hit their numbers in the short term, but their team members typically want to rotate out of their department after a while. This turnover costs time and money for hiring and training. After digging in, we find that the root cause is often a lack of trust within the team. Trust is the foundation of any successful team. As a manager, building and maintaining trust with your team is crucial for fostering a positive work environment and driving performance. This workplace competency falls within the Leader Loop core competencies of Influencing and Inspiring. Let’s dive into the key pitfalls that can erode trust and how to avoid them.
1. Micromanaging
Why It Erodes Trust: Micromanaging shows a lack of trust in your team’s abilities and can make employees feel undervalued and frustrated.
How to Avoid It: Delegate tasks and give your team the autonomy to complete them. Trust their skills and be available for support without hovering over every detail.
2. Lack of Transparency
Why It Erodes Trust: Keeping your team in the dark about important decisions or changes breeds uncertainty and suspicion.
How to Avoid It: Communicate openly and honestly with your team. Share relevant information and explain the reasoning behind decisions. Transparency fosters a culture of trust and respect.
3. Failing to Follow Through
Why It Erodes Trust: Breaking promises or failing to deliver on commitments shows unreliability and can make your team doubt your integrity.
How to Avoid It: Only make promises you can keep and always follow through on your commitments. If circumstances change, communicate promptly and clearly to manage expectations.
4. Playing Favorites
Why It Erodes Trust: Showing favoritism creates division and resentment within the team. It undermines the sense of fairness and equity.
How to Avoid It: Treat all team members equally and fairly. Recognize and reward contributions based on merit, not personal preferences. Strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.
5. Avoiding Difficult Conversations
Why It Erodes Trust: Shying away from addressing performance issues or conflicts can lead to unresolved problems and a toxic work environment.
How to Avoid It: Tackle difficult conversations head-on with empathy and clarity. Provide constructive feedback and work collaboratively to find solutions. Addressing issues promptly shows that you care about the team’s well-being and success.
6. Taking Credit for Others’ Work
Why It Erodes Trust: Claiming credit for your team’s achievements or not acknowledging their contributions diminishes their efforts and damages your credibility.
How to Avoid It: Always give credit where it’s due. Recognize and celebrate your team’s hard work and accomplishments. Highlight their contributions in meetings and reports, and share the spotlight.
7. Inconsistent Communication
Why It Erodes Trust: Inconsistent or unclear communication can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and frustration within the team.
How to Avoid It: Be consistent and clear in your communication. Regularly update your team on important matters, provide clear instructions, and be available for questions. Consistency in communication builds a stable and trusting environment.
Recap: Building and maintaining trust as a manager is essential for a high-performing team and a positive work environment. By avoiding these common trust pitfalls—micromanaging, lack of transparency, failing to follow through, playing favorites, avoiding difficult conversations, taking credit for others’ work, and inconsistent communication—you can foster a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. At Leader Loop, we believe in advancing your career by doing things the right way, and building trust with your team is a fundamental part of that journey.
Quote: “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” – Stephen Covey
Avoid these pitfalls and work towards building a strong foundation of trust with your team. It will not only enhance your leadership but also drive your team’s performance and your career growth.
About Leader Loop: Leader Loop crafts actionable, competency-focused articles to accelerate your career growth. Our expert-written content provides practical strategies for leadership, team management, and professional development. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or an ambitious individual contributor, our articles deliver the insights you need to excel in today’s workplace.
