Hello, and happy Monday.
Happy belated Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Hoping your day was fantabulous!
First a Quote: “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” — Stephen Covey
Over the past two weeks, I’ve been sharing leadership observations from my recent three-week World War II history tour.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about Standing Where History Happened and the difference between knowing and understanding. Last week, I shared the idea that Nobody Wins Alone.
This week, I’d like to explore an component that makes both possible: That component is trust!
During our Band of Brothers tour, we visited numerous battlefields, museums, memorials, and cemeteries connected with some of the most significant events of World War II.
At one stop, we found ourselves staring into an actual foxhole from that time.
Not a museum display. Not a movie set. An actual foxhole, presumably dug by soldiers fighting for their lives.
If I were in this situation, who would I want beside me in a foxhole?
And perhaps even more importantly: Would they trust me in theirs?
In a foxhole; titles, positions, and credentials don’t matter much.
What does matter is trust and questions like:
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Can I count on you?
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Will you do what you say you’ll do?
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Will you be there when things become difficult?
Will you put the needs of the team ahead of your own comfort?
Throughout our Band of Brothers journey, we learned about countless examples of soldiers depending on one another in so many ways.
Their survival depended on trust.
Yet one of the most important leadership lessons I took away from the experience is this:
The foundation of trust was not built solely in the foxhole during times of great stress and danger.
Trust is not built in a foxhole, but it is revealed there!
I propose that while trust may have been amplified in a battlefield, it was not created there.
The battlefield exposed the trust that had already been built through months of training, shared experiences, hardship, consistency, competence, and commitment.
By the time Easy Company arrived in Normandy, Holland, Bastogne, and beyond, they already knew who could be counted on.
The foundation of trust had already been established.
The same principle applies to leadership today.
Organizations often discover the strength, or weakness, of their trust during times of change, uncertainty, disruption, or crisis.
The challenge is, that those are not the times to begin building trust.
Ideally, trust is built long before it is needed!
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It is built when leaders keep their word.
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When they communicate honestly.
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When they listen.
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When they admit mistakes.
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When they give credit to others.
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When they follow through on commitments.
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When their actions consistently match their words.
Like a savings account, trust grows through small deposits made over time.
And one day, when circumstances become difficult, we discover whether we’ve made enough deposits.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of leaders and leadership teams. One observation has remained remarkably consistent:
Teams with high levels of trust move faster, collaborate better, resolve conflict more effectively, and perform at higher levels.
Teams without trust spend enormous amounts of time protecting themselves, second-guessing others, and navigating unnecessary friction.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that a foxhole is a powerful metaphor for not only leadership, but in all our relationships including friends, families and more.
In a recent conversation with a long-time friend, we agreed that trust is the reason our friendship has endured over 40 years. We trust each other’s intentions. We listen deeply, offering support without judgment. We also know that when the going gets tough, we are always there for one another. Trust is the key ingredient in our friendship.
“If people trust and love you, you will never walk alone.” – Philippos Syrigos
One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves, as leaders, spouses, or friends, is: What am I doing today to build the trust I may need tomorrow?
I Offer You a Challenge This Week
Think about the people who depend on you most. The people who trust you most.
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Your family and friends.
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Your team.
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Your colleagues.
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Your customers.
Ask yourself: “If we found ourselves in a foxhole tomorrow, would they trust me to be there for them?” Or, maybe, “Who would you trust in your foxhole?”
And just as importantly: “Would I trust them?”
Because trust isn’t built when the pressure arrives…
Trust is revealed under pressure. It is built long before it’s needed.
How will you live, love, or lead differently or better this week?
Bonus quotes below.
Related articles:
Sincerely,
Bryan Yager
PS
Many of the ideas shared in this MMM series also show up in my recently released book, “How to Transition into Leadership …and Why that Changes Everything.”
While the book focuses primarily on management and leadership, the lessons apply just as powerfully to our important relationships outside of work, both personal and professional.
What others are saying:
This book is a standout resource for anyone looking to grow, regardless of where they are in their leadership journey. It is grounded in real-world applications, and the concepts aren’t abstract or overly theoretical, but instead are practical and immediately relevant.
The structure makes it incredibly easy to reference, whether you’re reading it cover to cover or revisiting specific sections as challenges come up. It is an accessible, relatable read that meets you where you are and gives you tools you can actually use.”
Andrew Gates
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Bonus Quotes:
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“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” — Stephen Covey
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“Trust, honesty, humility, transparency and accountability are the building blocks of a positive reputation. Trust is the foundation of any relationship.” – Mike Paul
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“Trust is built on telling the truth, not telling people what they want to hear.” – Simon Sinek
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“If people trust and love you, you will never walk alone.” – Philippos Syrigos
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“The speed of trust is the speed of leadership.” — Stephen Covey
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“In teamwork, silence isn’t golden. It’s deadly.” — Mark Sanborn
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“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” – Ernest Hemingway
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“People follow leaders by choice. Without trust, at best you get compliance.” — Jesse Lyn Stoner
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“You can buy a person’s hand, but you can’t buy their heart.” — Stephen Covey
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“Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.” — Unknown
