Trust isn’t just a warm and fuzzy feeling – it’s the invisible force that transforms good leadership teams into exceptional ones.
One of the highlights of my corporate life was being part of the European Leadership Team at Salesforce. We were around a dozen individuals, each representing a function and acting not only on its behalf but for the region’s greater good. I witnessed firsthand how trust acted as our team’s superpower. When we gathered for our monthly meetings, there was never any posturing or defensive behaviour. Instead, each leader openly shared their challenges, knowing they would receive genuine support rather than judgment. Of course, there was productive conflict with very tough conversations, but those moments fostered creativity because we knew that there was a goal to be achieved. And the result? You can check the company’s website. EMEA was the fastest and highest-growing region in 6 years on a roll.
If you’re in a leadership position, I invite you to take a moment to assess the trust levels within your team. Do you have an environment that fosters open communication and authenticity? How often feedback is shared among the members of the team? Do they freely share both successes and setbacks? How do you demonstrate reliability?
The magic happens when a leadership team moves beyond being a collection of talented individuals to become a unified force rallying behind a vision. In my experience, it started with a relented focus on achieving a common goal, checking your ego at the door (easier said than done), and consistent actions – being genuinely curious about each other’s perspectives, celebrating successes together, and standing united during challenges. What steps are you taking to nurture trust within your leadership team?
Trust
