How to Build Trust on Your Team: Five Research-based Leadership Communication Tips
- rondaryan0
- May 27
- 4 min read
Strong communication skills and deep trust are the foundation of high-performing teams. Without trust, even skilled professionals struggle—decisions stall, collaboration gets complicated, and relationships in the workplace can get tense or passive-aggressive. But with trust? Conversations open up, collaboration thrives, and team relationships become a real asset.
Why Trust Is the Foundation of High-Performing Teams
Years ago, the head of my department and I were working with a team to build a leadership course that would be rolled out across the company. She and I had very different styles and were constantly bickering in meetings about how to make the course effective. It started to effect the team’s ability to make progress and meet our deadlines.
I honestly can’t remember who initiated the conversation, but we both knew something had to change. We sat down, shared honest feedback, and admitted that the way we were interacting was dragging the team down. We committed to listening better and being more open to each other’s ideas. And that shift—rooted in mutual trust—made the work better.
If you're a leader looking to improve an important professional relationship—whether it’s with your team, a peer, or a direct report—start with yourself. Real trust is built through consistent, thoughtful leadership and better communication.
Here are five practical, research-backed ways to lead with trust—and improve the quality of your working relationships.
1. Be Reliable (Do What You Say You’ll Do)
Nothing erodes trust faster than overpromising and underdelivering. When you say you’ll do something—meet a deadline, advocate for your team, or follow up—actually do it. Reliability strengthens both credibility and relationships.
When I work with clients on their leadership presence, reliability is often the first place we start. It’s the foundation for rebuilding strained workplace relationships.
Consistent follow-through builds psychological safety—one of the most essential elements of trust and healthy communication at work.
📌 Try this: Under-promise, over-deliver. “I’ll get back to you tomorrow.” → Follow up today. Repeat that, and trust builds fast.
Consistency turns you into someone your team knows they can count on—every time.
2. Own Your Mistakes (Without the Drama)
If you’re working to improve a relationship at work, one of the most important things to do is to tune into your own self-awareness and resist defensiveness. Owning your mistakes (and encouraging your team to do the same) fosters open, honest communication—and shows you’re human.
Great communicators don’t dodge accountability. If you’ve made a mistake or had a disagreement with a colleague, admitting how you could’ve handled things better can reset the dynamic.
We trust people more when they admit their faults. Vulnerability, done right, increases leadership credibility.
📌 Try this: Acknowledge → Own → Fix
“I missed that detail—thanks for catching it.”
“That’s on me, I’ll adjust the plan.”
“Let’s get it sorted by end of day—sound good?”
This kind of self-awareness is a hallmark of emotionally intelligent leadership.
3. Give Credit (All the Time)
Want to strengthen relationships and motivate your team? Acknowledge their wins—publicly and often. When people feel seen, they’re more likely to trust you and speak up.
Giving credit reinforces emotional safety—a key ingredient in healthy, productive workplace dynamics.
Recognition builds trust and boosts performance. It’s one of the most underused leadership tools.
📌 Try this: Recognize someone’s work in a meeting or chat. “This was Jamie’s idea—great insight.”
Gratitude is free, fast, and one of the most powerful trust-builders in your leadership toolkit.
4. Be Honest (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)
If you're trying to improve trust and communication with someone at work, honesty matters more than being "nice." Clear, respectful feedback can strengthen trust—even when it’s uncomfortable to say.
Many of my clients struggle with giving direct feedback. Clarity with empathy builds stronger relationships. You don’t need to be harsh to get your message across—instead, be helpful.
Respectful, constructive, honest communication builds trust—even when you have to have a difficult conversation with someone.
📌 Try this: What → Why → How
What: “I noticed the presentation ran long.”
Why: “That cut into Q&A time, which the client values.”
How: “Let’s aim to trim the intro next time. Sound good?” OR “What ideas do you have to trim the content to allow Q&A next time?”
Clear is kind. When you're honest, you're showing respect for the other person's ability to grow.
5. Show You Care (Beyond Tasks and Deadlines)
Trust is built in the small, human moments—not just during big meetings or performance reviews. Check in. Show that you care about your team as people, not just performers.
When a working relationship feels off, softening your tone and bringing empathy back into the mix can change the whole dynamic.
You don’t have to sacrifice cognitive trust (which is competence-based) if you lean into affective trust (based on emotional connection). Both are critical for workplace relationships that are sustainable and resilient.
📌 Try this: Use check-in questions. “How’s your energy this week?” or “Anything outside work I can support you with?” Small gestures of kindness and empathy can have a big impact.
Empathy at work isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategic skill. It keeps people engaged and loyal.
Build Trust Through Consistent Action
Whether you're leading a team or looking to repair a challenging relationship at work, trust is your leverage point. It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about consistent action: following through, owning mistakes, giving credit, speaking honestly, and showing up as a human being. Focus on showing up with reliability, honesty, empathy, and accountability—every day. Trust isn’t built overnight, but small, consistent actions make a big difference.
✨ Ready to Build Real Trust With Your Team?
Trust isn’t just a feel-good word—it’s the foundation of strong leadership, effective teams, and sustainable success. If you're ready to lead with more authenticity and impact, let’s talk.
💬 Schedule a complimentary coaching consultation and explore how you can build trust, boost influence, and create the kind of work culture people actually want to be part of.
📚 Research References:
Grenny, J. (2018). How to build trust at work. Harvard Business Review.
DeSteno, D. (2014). The Truth About Trust. Penguin.
McAllister, D. J. (1995). Affective and cognitive trust in organizations. Academy of Management Journal.
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