Developing Trust

Trust is an essential element of a high-performing team. But it takes a lot of time and a consistent approach to develop. Trust doesn’t come about just because you say it’s important. Trust is something built, more through what you do than what you say to your players.

When there is a power imbalance, as there is between a player and coach, trust starts with one question. Would you do it for me? Meaning, whatever it is you are demanding out of your players, would you be willing to do the same? Of course, you don’t have to do what your players ask of you as the coach. But to get them to trust you, they have to see that you’d be willing to do the same. That you are putting in the same amount of time, that you have the same work ethic, that you are willing to sacficie the same way you are asking of them.

Between the player and the coach, the question of trust might come down to “Are you making the same commitment you are asking of me?” As a coach to really earn their trust you have to model the behavior you want to see in them. Not only is it setting the right example, but it’s part of the foundation of trust for your team. They have to see it in you, so when things get hard and they don’t see a lot of reward, they believe you are in the trenches with them. They’ll trust you with the hard stuff when they see you are making the same commitment to the team.

What you do is so loud, they can’t hear what you say. You can talk to your team about the importance of trust all the time. But they need to see how you operate and the commitment you are willing to make for them in order for trust to fully develop.