22: Trust is Earned: How to Build it as a Leader

read time 6 minutes

Welcome to the With Intention weekly newsletter where I share ideas & learnings to help you live & lead with intention

At a glance:

• Essay: Trust is earned, not given
• Quote: Want to build trust?
• Visual: Control what you can control

Trust is earned, not given

When I started leading my first team, I thought working hard and hitting goals would automatically earn me respect.

But I quickly realized something was missing: trust.

Without it, even my best ideas fell flat. My team was hesitant and not fully bought in. I felt like I was failing—and honestly, I was. Then I discovered something that changed everything: trust isn’t given—it’s earned.

And building it doesn’t take flashy speeches or perfection. It takes small, intentional actions anyone can do.

Here’s the 3-step framework I used to transform my leadership:

How to Build Trust in 3 Simple Steps

1. Be Consistent

People trust what they can count on. Early on, I wanted to show how good I was, and I made promises I didn’t always keep—like missing deadlines or showing up late to meetings. So, I changed. I started following through on every promise, big or small, and showing up with the same energy every day.

Tip: If you can’t deliver on something, admit it and explain how you’ll fix it. Consistency is about accountability, not perfection.

2. Communicate Honestly

I used to think I had to have all the answers. So, when challenges came up, I’d sugarcoat or avoid them, hoping they’d just go away. Spoiler: They didn’t.

What did work was being upfront. I started sharing the truth, even when it was uncomfortable, and asking for help when I needed it.

Mistake to avoid: Don’t dodge hard conversations—they’re an opportunity to build trust.

3. Care About People

For a long time, I focused so much on results that I forgot my team were humans with lives outside work.

Everything changed when I started showing genuine care. I asked how people were doing, listened, and offered support when they needed it. It's amazing what happens when you genuinely are present with your team, no distractions. 

Quick example: One team member worked late almost every day and was always "available" on vacation. When I asked why, I learned they felt pressured to say “yes” to everything. Together, we set boundaries—and their performance improved.

The Big Benefit: When you follow these steps, your team knows they can count on you—not to be perfect, but to be real. And that’s what makes people trust you.

Why This Framework Works

• Consistency creates stability. Your team can focus on their work because they trust you’ll deliver on yours.
• Honesty breaks barriers. When you’re transparent, people feel safe to share ideas and contribute fully.
• Care builds loyalty. When people feel valued, they’ll go the extra mile—not because they have to, but because they want to.

The Takeaway:

Trust isn’t something you demand—it’s something you earn.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be consistent, honest, and caring. Start small. Pick one step today and commit to it.

Over time, those small actions will build the trust that transforms your leadership.

Because when people trust you, they won’t just follow you—they’ll believe in you.

A Visual: Control what you can control

Source: Visualgrowth.com

Until next week...thanks for reading!

Jon Giganti Author. Speaker. Leader.

Attention requires a focused head.
Intention requires a focused heart.

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