How Much Does Your Team Trust You? Think Again

I say this with 100% certainly: Your employees don’t trust you as much as you think they do.

No matter if you lead by example.

No matter how transparent you are.

No matter how much support you give.

No matter how much praise you shower.

No matter how frequently you communicate. 

How do I know this?

When you have the authority to make decisions, assign tasks, direct actions, and determine the outcomes for other people, they perceive your power over them more palpably than you do.

Basically, we don’t experience power downward in the organizational hierarchy the way we feel it upward.

Let’s test that: Do you trust your boss as much as they think you do?  

Didn’t think so. 

Let me share a quick story:

Once upon a time, I was responsible for developing 20 management trainees, who took on new departmental assignments every few weeks. In my haste to relay a company directive, I sent an email that was – shall we say – awfully ambiguous.

Later that day, a trainee called to ask for clarification. I realized my error, apologized, and explained what was needed.

Then, I learned, to my horror, that these 20 management trainees had spent the better part of the day knocking heads to figure out what I meant because they were afraid to ask.

Hours of wasted time was one thing. The notion that courage was needed to ask ME for clarification was another.

I like to think I’m approachable and I had worked hard to build trust and rapport.

But here’s the kicker…They didn’t actually work for me. My job was to support them! But I was senior to them in the organization. I didn’t feel my formal power, but they certainly did – and this was enough to prevent them from asking for help.

Don’t assume your team trusts you just because you are doing all the right things. Invest even more in building trust than you think you need to!

Melissa Janis builds management capabilities to create a workplace that's better for your employees and better for your bottom line.