How New Leaders Can Earn their Team’s Trust

Eyebrows raised. People whisper. Chat groups buzz. Eyes are on you.?

I remember what my boss told me when I was a young leader, “Kurly, you’re like a fish in a fishbowl. Everybody’s watching you.”? ??

It did feel that way.

I shared recently that I was promoted to a Team Leader before my first anniversary on my first job.? It was tough being a young woman leader of an all male team, all older and more tenured than me. They were all probably wondering what right I had to lead them. Perhaps even I was thinking the same thing.?

But I held my head up and carried on. Perhaps I held it too high that it caused me a lot of challenges in my early years as a leader.?

?? Many of my coaching clients also come to me with similar concerns.?

?? How can I make my team trust me when they’ve been here longer than me?

?? How can I transition from being their peer to being their boss?

?? How can I prove myself worthy of being a manager??

While every case is different, there are common themes and practices that can help a leader gain and build the trust of their new team.?

As a Leader, you must work on yourself.

Being promoted or hired as a leader may mean that you’ve got the experience, skills and potential, but that doesn’t make you perfect or in any way better than your team. Sure you have your strengths and capabilities, but they have theirs too. It also doesn’t mean that there’s nothing more for you to learn. That’s actually a very dangerous thought. When you start believing that you’re done and good with all the learning, that’s when you stop growing and soon you’ll find yourself unable to keep up with the evolution of work.?

Make time to work on yourself. This may be through reading books, attending leadership training programs, getting mentored and coached, and doing the inner work. In my coaching sessions with Leaders, one common takeaway is the realization and appreciation of their own unique style as a leader. They discover why they don’t need to be like their boss, and they find comfort and confidence in knowing that they can be a successful leader in their own way.?

As Leader, you must be curious and listen.

My son and I are watching Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix (no spoilers please, we’re not done yet ??) . In one episode where one contestant declared himself as a captain, a fellow contestant commented, “I know leaders should talk less, but TJ keeps talking!”?

Are you that type of leader too?

Observe yourself during meetings and formal / informal conversations. Do you dominate conversations most of the time? Do you assume you already understand what the other person is saying even before they finish talking? Are you quick to shut down opinions or ideas that do not align with yours??

Being curious and listening helps create an open, safe and supportive space. It is in that space where your team will feel seen, heard and valued…. And then empowered.?

As a Leader, you must involve others.

Dealing with a know-it-all member in the team? Or maybe a senior member who also applied for the position you’re in now??

Whether you’re dealing with the team’s alpha member, or the most quiet and compliant member, involvement is essential. You’re the leader of the team, which means you’re in the team, not outside it and simply giving instructions. You’re no longer an individual contributor whose responsibilities and results solely depend on you. It’s time to do things together with them. Knowing it all and doing it all as a leader is a myth. Leaders must be strategic, operational and relational.?

Ask people about their ideas. Share information that can help them see and understand the big picture. Delegate tasks. Ask them to lead projects. Support their ideas.

Remember: Trust takes consistency and time.?

Trust is not microwavable. It’s something that’s built consistently over time. It’s not just about letting time pass by and crossing your fingers that your team will trust you eventually. Trust is built through small consistent actions, just like what I’ve shared here. Work on yourself, be curious and listen, and involve others.?

Leadership is not rocket science. It all starts with simple steps. It starts with you.?

?? Join the Emerging Leadership Program Info Session ??????

I am piloting a revamped version of one of my frequently requested programs for leaders and I am looking for new or aspiring leaders who would be interested to participate!

The Emerging Leaders Program combines crucial topics that new leaders must know, and incorporates a group coaching component to tackle real-life goals and challenges. This is a paid program which will be offered at a special rate for the pilot run.?

There will be an info session on Mar 26 at 4pm.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/R3qwPNNJRiaBsO2rvOZo5A?

Got questions? Send me a message! ??

For more tips on career, leadership and coaching, check out these FREE resources.

?? Free courses: https://kurlydeguzman.thinkific.com

?? For Coaches: Check out my articles in International Coaching Federation Coaching World Blog:

• Starting a Thriving Coaching Practice from Zero - Read here
• Building Your Coaching Brand and Presence on LinkedIn - Read here
• 5 Ways to Land Your Next Coaching Gig - Read here

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Coach Kurly de Guzman is a Career and Leadership Coach and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices based in the Philippines. She continuously seeks ways to help coaches, leaders and teams thrive through her newsletter, leadership and career development workshops as well as group and 1:1 coaching sessions for clients.

To work with Kurly, send an email to [email protected] or book an exploratory call to discuss your organization’s needs here.