Begin with Trust (Harvard Business Review, May 4, 2020)

Summary:

The authors argue that leaders must actively build trust with their teams to foster engagement, productivity, and resilience—especially in times of crisis.

Blanchard and O'Connor outline key principles for leaders to establish and maintain trust:

1. Credibility: Leaders must consistently act in ways that demonstrate their competence and reliability.
2. Transparency: Open communication about decisions, challenges, and uncertainties builds trust and helps teams feel included and informed.
3. Consistency: Acting with integrity and consistency, especially in difficult times, strengthens trust and allows teams to rely on their leaders.
4. Empathy: Understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of team members enhances mutual respect and trust.

Citation:
Blanchard, K., & O'Connor, M. (2020, May 4). Begin with trust. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/05/begin-with-trust