Building Trust, Connection, and Engagement: Key Insights From the ASHRAE - YEA Leadership Weekend

At the recent YEA - YLW 1.0 weekend in San Francisco , I posed a central question to participants:?What can leaders within ASHRAE and managers in your companies do to foster greater trust, connection, loyalty, and increase engagement, contribution, and enjoyment at work??Here’s what they shared.

11 Key Insights From the ASHRAE - YEA Leadership Weekend

1. Encourage Healthy Discourse

Open conversations—where all ideas are welcomed—build trust and ensure that individuals feel their perspectives are valued.

2. Listen to Understand

Effective listening goes beyond simply hearing words. Leaders should strive to understand the underlying ideas and emotions expressed.

3. Provide Feedback to Show Understanding

Acknowledging and responding to input keeps teams engaged. Employees, especially those early in their careers, want to feel their voices are heard, seen, and respected.

4. Incorporate Feedback from All Levels

Seek and integrate feedback, particularly from younger or junior team members. Leaders should remember that every generation brings valuable perspectives.

5. Be Transparent with Constraints

When input and suggestions can’t be fully implemented, explain why. Transparency builds trust and keeps the conversation open.

6. Stay Aware of the Dunning-Kruger Effect

Avoid overestimating personal expertise. Humility and curiosity help leaders stay open to learning and new perspectives.

7. Sharpen Your Own Skills

Don’t let leadership stagnate from neglect or complacency. Lead by example to inspire growth in younger staff—habits and best practices are often “caught” rather than taught.

8. Be Approachable, Not Unreachable

Approachability fosters open dialogue. Leaders who remain accessible create a more connected workplace.

9. Balance IQ with EQ

High intelligence combined with low emotional intelligence creates barriers. To build a loyal team, demonstrate empathy alongside expertise.

10. Offer Constructive Feedback, Not Criticism

Thoughtful feedback empowers growth, while harsh criticism can alienate. Aim to guide rather than reprimand.

11. Be Genuine

People recognize when leaders are simply going through the motions. Authenticity is key—truly listen, act when possible, and be honest when you can’t.

I was impressed not only by their insights on improving organizations, but also by their openness to share. These young engineers have so much to offer. Let’s engage with them and listen—they’re eager to contribute!

P.S. There are only a few spots remaining for my upcoming complimentary webinar on November 26th at 12 PM PST. We’ll discuss how to successfully transition from 2024 to 2025! For more information and to register, send me a private message or email me at [email protected] .