Trust Isn't Built In the Big Moments- It's Built In the Small Ones

I was at the gym the other day and was approached by a fellow gym member. He says to me “you’re really consistent hey. I don’t think there has been a time I’ve been here and you haven’t been”. I responded “yeah, I’m pretty consistent. I’m here about five days a week around the same time. I found that getting my workout done first thing in the morning helps me be more productive the rest of the day”.

It got me thinking about how important consistency is in leadership, especially in building trust amongst teams, stakeholders, and organizations.

Many people believe that trust is built during the big moments or the big celebrations. Speaking at events, winning awards, or the other “showboat” approaches to leadership. While these things are important and warranted for many established, trusted leaders, winning awards, speaking at conferences, etc. does not equal trust.

Trust is built in the small moments. In the day to day and how leaders show up in their lives. It’s not the one off’s or the accolades, nor is it about what you look like on stage. It’s how a leader shows up daily. How they engage in and lives their values, practice what they preach, how they present themselves, show up for their team mates, and how they work with others. There is consistency in their approach. Team mates, other staff in the organization and stakeholders know what to expect from their leader, which is foundational in establishing trust.

When others see that modelled to them, they begin to trust. Because their leader is dependable, reliable, and demonstrate authenticity- with consistency at the forefront.

In turn, others start to show up in the same way. Creating consistency and building trust across team members, which can create ripple effects across the organization and with stakeholders.