The Trust Equation
\What Really Builds (and Breaks) Trust in Leadership
Trust is fragile. It takes years to earn, but only moments to lose. Every Second Chair leader lives in the tension of needing their team to trust them and their First Chair to trust them. But what actually builds trust and what erodes it? Leading up doesn’t mean undermining authority or pushing your own agenda. It means actively helping your First Chair succeed so the mission can thrive.
Trust isn’t just a feeling. It’s a pattern of reliability, honesty, and care lived out over time. Small things add up: following through on commitments, sharing credit instead of taking it, telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Erosion, on the other hand, often begins subtly, like overpromising and underdelivering, or staying silent when something should be said. Leaders who understand this equation stop guessing about trust and start practicing it.
Ask Yourself:
If you’re a Second Chair:
- Am I following through on the commitments I’ve made, even in small things?
- Where do I need to have an honest conversation instead of staying silent?
If you’re a First Chair:
- Do I consistently affirm trust in my Second Chair by sharing responsibility and credit?
- Where might I unintentionally signal doubt or mistrust?
Trust grows in inches but crumbles in chunks. Guard it carefully, and build it daily.
You’re not alone:
Download the Second Chair Clarity Guide, your tool to define and lead from your lane.
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Two Chairs | One Mission
Where trust grows and leadership multiplies.
