Leadership Trust: Why it’s the Cornerstone of High-Performing Teams

By Jayson Krause, Managing Director of Level 52 & Award-Winning Author of The Science Behind Success

At a recent fundraiser for Classroom Champions, retired Super Bowl-winning athlete Luke Willson spoke about how they won most of their games late in the 4th quarter of the season they won the Super Bowl and his belief is they won it because of trust and connection. Yes, preparation and hard work played a role, but what they did to develop the bond is what enabled them to persevere when others couldn’t.

We know this stuff. Trust isn't just a nice-to-have inside your business. It's the bedrock upon which high-performing teams are built. It's the glue that holds the team together when the going gets tough. And yet, it's an often overlooked aspect of leadership.

Trust in leadership is like the foundation of a skyscraper. You might not see it, but it's exactly what keeps the whole structure standing. Without it, the most impressive facade will crumble under pressure. 

So, how do leaders build this trust? It's not about grand gestures or empty promises. It's about the small, consistent actions that show your team you're reliable, competent, and caring. It's about showing up when you say you will, delivering on your commitments, and being there for your team when they need you.

But trust isn't just about what you do. It's also about what you don't do. It's about avoiding the trust-eroding behaviors that can undermine your leadership. Things like inconsistency, lack of transparency, and failure to acknowledge mistakes can quickly erode trust and damage your team's performance.

Whether you like it or not, building trust also requires a willingness to be vulnerable. It's about admitting when you don't have all the answers, and being open to feedback and criticism. It's about showing your team that you're human, just like them.

In the end, trust is about creating a safe space where your team can take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. It's about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to do their best work. All of this takes hard work. Sometimes, this is the hardest work. That’s why we devote great attention to it in our Accelerated Leader Programs. 

So, if you want to build a high-performing team, start with trust. It's the cornerstone upon which everything else is built. And remember, trust isn't given, it's earned. So roll up your sleeves, lead with integrity, and show your team that you're someone they can count on in the fourth quarter when it matters most.