In psychology, trust is built through consistent behaviours over time. It’s not about status or seniority. It’s about what people come to expect from you, day in and day out.
So what builds trust?
Not job titles.
Not charisma.
Not confidence alone.
Trust is built when people see that you:
Show up consistently – you say what you mean and do what you say
Admit when you’re wrong – no defensiveness, just honesty
Make space for others – especially when it’s uncomfortable
Make decisions with people, not just about them
Why it matters:
In teams where trust is high, people speak up, take risks, and collaborate more effectively.
Where trust is low? You get silence, disengagement, and surface-level effort.
And the challenge for leaders is this: authority can sometimes mask a lack of trust – until it’s too late.
A quick reflection exercise for leaders:
What behaviours are you modelling each day?
And what do they teach your team to expect from you?
Because in the end, trust isn’t something you ask for.
It’s something you build and protect.
Want to explore how your leaders can build trust in real, practical ways?
That’s where our psychology-led leadership development comes in.
Like this article? Get more delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter.