A senior exec recently asked me this during a workshop:

“How do I really know if my team trusts me?”

I didn’t give him a checklist.

I asked him a question instead:

“When something goes wrong—do they bring it to you? Or do they hide it?”

He paused. Then said, “Honestly… I usually find out after the fact.”

And there it was.

Because trust isn’t built when things are smooth.
Trust shows up in the middle of the mess.

Let’s Talk About Psychological Safety

When your team trusts you, they don’t just deliver results. They share concerns. Offer ideas. Admit mistakes.

And when they don’t trust you?
They go silent.
They protect themselves.
They perform the task—but not the transformation.

Research from Google’s Project Aristotle shows this clearly:
Psychological safety—the belief that it’s safe to take risks or speak up—is the #1 predictor of high-performing teams.

The Hidden Signals of a Low-Trust Team

• Silence in meetings

• “Yes” culture (with no follow-through)

• Avoidance of feedback

• Minimal collaboration

• Passive resistance to change

These aren’t performance issues.
They’re emotional pulse issues.

3 Questions Every Leader Should Ask Weekly

1. “What’s one thing that’s making your work harder right now?”
   (This reveals unseen roadblocks.)

2. “What’s something you’re proud of this week?”
   (This builds connection and confidence.)

3. “What do you need more of from me?”
   (This invites honest dialogue—and builds trust over time.)
   

These questions aren’t fluff. They’re your leadership thermometer. They show you the temperature before the team burns out.

Want a Check-In Ritual That Actually Works?

We teach leaders to create “Emotional Pulse Points”—micro-moments to connect with their teams, elevate trust, and improve performance from the inside out.

This isn’t just about culture. It’s about results.

When trust goes up:

• Productivity increases

• Turnover decreases

• Innovation flows

And your people stop surviving and start thriving.

Looking to create a high-trust, high-impact team culture?
Our Leadership Development Programs guide your leaders in building trust, communication, and alignment that drives lasting change.

Because the most powerful metric in your team… is how safe they feel with you.

💬 What’s one question you ask your team to build trust?
Share below—we’re learning from each other.