Why Trust Is the Ultimate Leadership Tool in the Workplace

“Trust is built when someone is vulnerable and not taken advantage of.”

— Bob Vanourek

We talk a lot about productivity, strategy, and innovation in the workplace—but none of those can thrive without one key ingredient: trust.

Leslie Martinich is a leadership expert with a background in tech and organizational culture. Our recent conversation on Linkedin LIVE uncovered some powerful truths about how trust shapes everything from day-to-day operations to long-term business success.

The True Cost of Distrust

Leslie shared a simple formula that is easy to remember:

High trust = high speed, low cost.Low trust = low speed, high cost.

Think about it. When employees don’t trust leadership, whether due to lack of communication, fear of layoffs, or being micromanaged, they spend more time speculating and less time executing. Productivity drops, morale suffers, and turnover increases. That "noise" in the workplace? It comes from uncertainty and fear.

Trust in Action: The Jim Henson Example 🎵

Here’s a story that I absolutely love and often tell: When Jim Henson (yes, The Muppets legend!) hired composers for The Muppet Movie, he trusted them completely. He didn’t micromanage. He didn’t demand changes. He simply said, “I hired you for your talent, go do your thing.”

The result? "The Rainbow Connection." A timeless classic that wouldn’t have happened without Henson’s trust.

Imagine what your team could create if they were trusted like that.

So, How Do Leaders Build Trust?

Leslie laid it out beautifully:

• Be present. Really listen to your team...not just to respond, but to understand.

• Engage people. Invite them into the decision-making process.

• Don’t micromanage. If you’ve hired capable people, let them do the job.

• Model trust yourself. Vulnerability from leadership signals safety to your team.

Personal Reflection: Trust Starts with You

As a mom and entrepreneur, I’ve learned that trusting others starts with trusting yourself. I remember the first time I had to trust someone to care for my kids, it was terrifying! But I chose that person for a reason. It’s the same with your team: you chose them for a reason, trust your hiring judgment.

When we release control and stop trying to do everything ourselves, we create space for creativity, collaboration, and growth.

Final Thought

Building trust doesn’t take a fancy system. It takes consistency, empathy, and courage. As Leslie reminded me, trust is what allows great teams to thrive and great leaders to rise.

Let me know what you think in the comments. What’s one way your workplace builds or breaks trust?

#Leadership #TrustInTheWorkplace #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WorkplaceCulture #TheMuppets #BusinessLessons #Luckygirliegirl