Unlocking the Power of Trust: A Guide for Engineering Leaders

I won't forget the first staff meeting I had to lead. I was a first-time manager with a large engineering team, just returning from maternity leave. Most of the team were my peers not that long ago. I was anxious and insecure. I was not sure if they appreciated the fact that I was now their manager and if they trusted me.

Eight years later, I started managing fully remotely for the first time. That was even harder. How can people trust you when you have no chance to meet them in person?

I believe that trust is a critical factor in both enabling and hindering high-performing engineering teams, particularly when working remotely. The journey to build a deeply trusting team is challenging yet rewarding. I have distilled this journey into five pillars, each a stepping stone towards creating an environment where innovation thrives and projects flourish.

1. The Art of Building Relationships

Engineering is a collaborative effort that involves a team of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives, and interests. The success of any engineering project depends on the contribution of each team member. As leaders, it is essential to understand the people who make up our team. It's not enough to know their names and job titles; we need to understand their motivations, concerns, and aspirations beyond the workplace. By doing so, we can create a work environment that supports our team members' personal and professional growth, leading to better outcomes for the organization.

Personal Touch: I have discovered that genuinely showing interest in the lives of my team members, celebrating their milestones, and acknowledging their struggles helps to create a sense of belonging and care. It's about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, not just as a part of the team, but as a unique individual with a story.

Feedback as Fuel for growth: Constructive feedback, when given from a place of a genuine desire to see the other person grow, can be a powerful tool. It's not just about pointing out areas of improvement but also about shining a light on the strengths that maybe they didn't even see in themselves.

2. The Clarity of Transparency

Transparency breeds trust. Being transparent about the 'why' behind leadership actions can demystify decision-making in engineering projects.

Sharing the Vision: Sharing openly about project rationale or tough decisions helps team members become active contributors to the journey.

Honesty in Hardship: We may not always have good news to share. However, I have come to learn that being honest, even when admitting to a mistake or acknowledging a setback, helps build respect and trust. It shows that we are willing to face challenges together and overcome them.

When I tried to please engineers by agreeing to do things that I didn't believe would be beneficial, it led to devastating results. However, when I was transparent and didn't agree to do something that I didn't believe in, people appreciated my leadership. Even if they didn't like my decision, they respected me.

Embracing Vulnerability: Being Human

Leaders don't have to be perfect all the time. It's totally fine to admit that we're not perfect and that we mess up sometimes. Actually, being able to own up to our mistakes and limitations is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Admitting Mistakes: There's a profound relief and respect that comes when a leader says, "I was wrong." It opens the door for others to do the same, creating a culture where learning from failure is not just accepted but encouraged.

Sharing Our Struggles: When we share our challenges or admit we don't have all the answers, it invites others to step in, share their insights, and contribute to solutions. It's a powerful way to foster collaboration and innovation.

4. The Foundation of Consistency

Trust is built one brick at a time through consistent actions and decisions. It's about being a leader who can be counted on and whose words align with their actions.

Keeping Promises: Whether following through on a commitment to support a team member's idea or ensuring that our policies are applied fairly, consistency in our actions sends a message that we can be relied upon.

Setting Realistic Expectations: It's tempting to want to promise the moon to motivate our teams. However, setting achievable goals and being upfront about what can and cannot be done builds a much stronger foundation of trust.

I learned the hard way that failing quickly is better than prolonging and failing in the future. My managers appreciated it when I set realistic expectations, even if it meant doing less than what they had hoped for, rather than over-promising and under-delivering.

5. Mastering the Craft of Communication

Effective communication is the key to tying all pillars together as it involves transmitting information and ensuring it's received and understood as intended.

Clarity is Key: When working remotely, clear communication is essential to prevent misunderstandings and problems. It is important to ensure that everyone is on the same page. To achieve this, I like to use a strategy where I ask others to summarize what we agreed on, or send a summary myself and check if everyone is aligned. I believe that when working remotely, it is better to over communicate than to create a situation where misunderstandings happen, only to later find out that someone did something you did not expect.

Listening with Intent: When we let our team members speak their minds, it can make all the difference. It shows them that we value their contribution and helps us create better projects together. So let's keep those channels of communication open!

As a team manager, try to talk less and listen more. By listening actively and asking good open-ended questions, you can build better relationships with your team members. This will help you understand your team better and increase their motivation and trust in you since they'll feel heard and appreciated.

Conclusion: The Trust-Driven Team

Building trust and credibility is not a one-time thing. It's a continuous effort that changes with every project, challenge, and success. As engineering leaders, we have to lead this effort by being kind, transparent, and consistent. It's not always easy, but it pays off in the long run. A team that feels respected, valued, and appreciated can accomplish amazing things together.

Join the Conversation & Discover More

I hope this guide sparks a dialogue about the importance of trust and credibility in leadership. Whether you're an experienced engineering leader or just starting on this path, I believe we all have insights to share and lessons to learn from each other.

I'd love to hear from you! Share your experiences, challenges, and successes in building trust within your teams in the comments below. What strategies have worked for you? How do you navigate the complexities of leadership in the tech industry?

For those looking to dive deeper into the art of leadership, I invite you to check out my Leadership Circles in the featured section of my profile. These circles are designed to foster community, exchange knowledge, and support growth among tech leaders.