The Most Overlooked Way to Build Trust on Your Team

Trust isn't built on charisma.
It's built on your commitment to developing others.

Human-centered leaders don’t just excel at strategy or technical skills.
They elevate their teams by consistently investing in people’s growth.

And the data backs it up:
📊 Employees are 11x more likely to trust managers who support their development and 9x more likely to trust those who give regular feedback or coach effectively.(Source: DDI)

So why does development support build trust so deeply?

When leaders invest in people’s growth, the message is unmistakable: I see your potential. I believe in your future. I’m willing to help you get there.This message builds more than skills. It builds trust.

Here are six practical ways to lead with this kind of commitment:

1. Listen beyond the words

Tune in to what’s not being said, the hesitations, unspoken concerns, and dreams they're afraid to voice. Respond with curiosity and empathy to create the safety needed for meaningful development conversations.

2. Make it safe to be human

People grow when they feel safe to admit what they don’t know. Lead by normalizing vulnerability. When you model empathy and curiosity, honesty becomes a strength instead of a risk.

3. Open the strategic curtain

Don’t just assign tasks. Share the “why” behind decisions. When your team understands the reasoning behind decisions, they develop strategic thinking and trust you more for bringing them into the bigger picture

4. Welcome the challenge

Invite people to question how things are done. Empower them to propose better ways. It signals that their judgment matters and their voice has weight.

5. Develop a culture where feedback flows freely

Make feedback a habit, not a surprise. Create space for honest, two-way feedback so growth becomes a shared, ongoing process instead of an annual review.

6. Model the growth you want to see

When you seek feedback, admit mistakes, and visibly invest in your own growth, you signal: development isn’t top-down, it’s cultural. And it starts with you.

Trust Multiplier

This creates a transformative multiplier: people who feel genuinely supported become champions of others' growth.

When people trust your commitment to their development, culture transforms.
Collaboration rises. Innovation flourishes. And your team shifts from compliance to possibility.

Three Questions to Reflect On:

• When did you last have a development-focused conversation with each team member?

• What percentage of your 1:1s focus on their growth versus immediate tasks?

• Would your team feel safe admitting a knowledge gap to you?

Trust is earned through consistency especially when it comes to your people’s growth.

Ready to lead with more trust?

Start your next 1:1 by asking:
What's one skill you would love to grow this year and how can I support that?
Then listen deeply and follow through.
This is how you build trust. One growth conversation at a time.

The Art of Human-Centered Leadership: Coaching Notes

Every weekday, I share insights on human-centered leadership, team dynamics, and workplace culture on LinkedIn. Here are 4 posts from the past month that capture these themes:

Thank you for reading!

Know that I am here for you and your leadership journey.

With love and support, Michelle

P.S. Whether you're looking to elevate your own leadership impact or develop stronger leaders across your organization, let's explore how executive coaching and leadership development can create the culture change you're seeking.

myfactor guides Fortune 500s, non-profits, and founder-led ventures through critical leadership challenges. We develop human-centered leaders who build trust through meaningful connections - the foundation of high-performing teams and thriving culture.