When Trust Brings A Team Back To Life

The Team That Chose Trust

Not long ago, I worked with a team navigating a storm of change—a merger that left people feeling insecure and unmoored. Initially, suspicion ran high. Departments competed rather than collaborated. Mistrust was palpable, and the cracks were widening. The lack of trust wasn’t just a barrier; it was a roadblock to progress and innovation.

But one leader chose a different path and embarked on a journey to rebuild trust step by step, starting with Xìng Yòng (信用), moving to Xìng Rèn (信任), and culminating in Xìng Xīn (信心). These three stages transformed the team from fragmented and fearful to united and thriving.

Step 1: Xìng Yòng (信用): Do What You Promise

The leader began by focusing on small, visible actions that demonstrated reliability. They committed to attending every team meeting on time, ensuring updates were consistent and accurate, and delivering on small promises without fail. These seemingly simple actions spoke volumes. Over time, the team began to see that this leader meant what they said and said what they meant.

When trust is low, consistency is your strongest ally. Keep your word and ensure your actions match your promises. Start small if needed—trust doesn’t require grand gestures, just steady and dependable effort.

Step 2: Xìng Rèn (信任): Prove You Can Be Trusted

Once the team began to see dependability, the leader turned their attention to building personal trust. They held one-on-one sessions with team members to understand their frustrations, challenges, and aspirations. By actively listening and validating concerns, they showed empathy and commitment to supporting the team.

At this stage, the leader also addressed past missteps, owning up to decisions that had created tension or doubt. Transparency built credibility, and the willingness to admit mistakes encouraged others to do the same.

Step 3: Xìng Xīn (信心): Inspire Faith in the Team’s Future

The final and most transformative step was about vision. The leader rallied the team around a shared purpose, emphasizing their collective strengths and what they could achieve together. They celebrated small wins, publicly acknowledging contributions, and reinforcing the belief that every individual mattered.

By fostering a culture of collaboration and recognition, they turned the team’s attention from the past to the future. Confidence in leadership transformed into collective faith in what they could accomplish together.

Trust and High-Performance Leadership

Rebuilding trust isn’t an overnight process—it’s a journey of incremental efforts that compound over time. Through my High-Performance Leadership & Team Program, I guide leaders and teams through a 6-week transformation process where trust is a cornerstone.

We start with foundational actions to rebuild relationships, then layer in advanced strategies to foster collaboration, psychological safety, and mutual respect. Over six weeks, leaders see how steady, intentional efforts create momentum—turning fractured teams into high-performing ones.

When trust grows, so does productivity, creativity, and resilience. Leaders learn to balance accountability with empathy, and teams develop the confidence to take on ambitious goals together.

Key Takeaways to Build Trust and Performance

1. Start Small, but Stay Consistent: Trust builds in layers, starting with the little things.

2. Engage Deeply: Understanding your team’s fears and aspirations is critical.

3. Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge progress and reinforce positive behaviors to create a cycle of trust and achievement.

"Trust is the invisible thread that weaves individuals into unstoppable teams." Anne Phey

Are you ready to lead your team toward a high-performance future, starting with trust? Let’s talk about how my program can help you.

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