The Trust Dividend:
7 Remarkable Benefits of a High-Trust Team
“Steve, just trust me.”
Four words. Sixty seconds to decide.
I had just conquered my first rock climbing wall at a team-building event, and I was feeling pretty proud of myself. You see, I carry a mild case of the fear of heights. The climb was tough, but I kept my eyes focused upward, one hold at a time.
Then came the hardest part. The scariest part. To finish, I had to rappel down. Standing at the top, looking at the ground far below, a chill ran down my spine. And that’s when my guide said it:
“Steve, just trust me.”
He told me to sit back, let go, and trust that he had the rope, the harness, and the cables.
The good news? I’m still here!
Talk about a lesson in trust. At the bottom, there were high fives, big smiles, and a deep sense of fulfillment. Here’s what I realized in that moment: it feels good to trust.
So let me ask you two questions.
If you lead, do people trust you? Really think about that.
If you’re part of a team, do you trust your leaders and your co-workers? Think about that too.
Trust isn’t just a warm feeling. It’s a performance multiplier. According to research published in Harvard Business Review, people at high-trust organizations report:
Read that list again. Less stress, more energy, higher productivity, deeper engagement. Every leader I know is chasing those outcomes. Trust delivers them.
How to Build Better Trust, Starting This Week
Here’s the encouraging news: trust isn’t a personality trait you either have or don’t. It’s a skill you can build. Here are three ways to start:
Trust Begins with Emotional Intelligence
Here’s the deeper truth I’ve discovered coaching leaders for over two decades: high-trust teams are built by emotionally intelligent leaders.
If we expect our teams to scale rocky terrain and lean into trust, we have to remember: be authentic, not a fake. And authenticity starts with genuine self-awareness, the foundation of emotional intelligence.
Identify and recognize your own strengths and your growth areas. It’s okay to share your trip-up points and your moments of failing forward. People identify with authenticity. They connect with real.
And here’s one more secret: make the journey fun and joyful. Not everything has to be serious.
One of my favorite CEO clients shared a fascinating observation with me. She said, “Steve, I listen for laughter and look for smiles at work. It’s a small signal that people enjoy our environment and trust our leaders and one another.”
I love that. Laughter is the sound of trust.
As trust goes up in your personal and professional relationships, you’ll see remarkable benefits: less stress, more energy, deeper engagement, and a team that’s willing to lean back off the wall because they know you’re holding the rope.
Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
Here’s to building high-trust teams!
–Steve
As a master storyteller, Steve has unparalleled ability to communicate dynamic business and leadership truths through stories, anecdotes and humor. Harness the power of the “number one” predictor of professional success, impact, leadership, high performance and sustainable relationships in business and life. Steve’s highest rated keynote presentation.
To book Steve today, contact Michelle Joyce!
(For information on keynote presentations, team workshops, and one on one coaching.)
“The purpose of Leadership Quest is to help professionals develop their personal leadership, vision and emotional intelligence. Everyday I strive to help leaders and teams achieve their desired goals in sales productivity, leadership, time maximization, and life-balance. ”
About the Author
Steve Gutzler is the President of Leadership Quest, a premier leadership development company based in Scottsdale. As a dynamic and highly sought-after speaker, Steve has delivered over 2,500 impactful presentations to renowned organizations such as Microsoft, Starbucks, the Seattle Seahawks, Spotify, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
A published author and thought leader on leadership and emotional intelligence, Steve lives near Scottsdale with his wife, Julie. Together, they cherish time spent with their three adult children and six grandchildren.
