Ryan Hanley talks with Charles Feltman, author of The Thin Book of Trust, a business classic that has sold over 100,000 copies. They dive into what it takes to build trust in leadership and teams, exploring why there’s often a disconnect between leaders and employees. Charles shares practical advice on transparency, the importance of psychological safety, and how admitting “I don’t know” can strengthen trust. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this conversation is packed with insights to help you build stronger, more effective teams.
🎯 Takeaways:
- 93% of business executives agree that building and maintaining trust improves the bottom line.
- 86% of executives say they highly trust their employees, but only 60% of employees feel highly trusted.
- Leaders become less transparent and more autocratic as they ascend, which can erode trust.
💬 Sound Bites: • "Leaders often act as if they know everything, even when they don’t. This damages trust." • "Acknowledging uncertainty and involving your team fosters stronger solutions and trust." • "Leaders should be in service of their team, not just the task."
🔗 Connect and Discover:
Website: https://insightcoaching.com/
Book: https://amzn.to/4hfzD4e
📖 Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction and The Role of Leaders in Trust Building
00:03:12 - The Trust Gap: 86% vs. 60%
00:05:07 - Why Leaders Lose Transparency
00:07:33 - The Strength of Admitting “I Don’t Know”
00:10:52 - Autocratic vs. Collaborative Leadership
00:13:25 - The Importance of Disagreement in Teams
00:18:32 - Psychological Safety and Framing Ideas
00:26:54 - In Service Of: Redefining Leadership
00:28:26 - Navigating Layers of Management to Build Trust
00:32:06 - Finding the Right Level of Transparency
00:39:18 - The Evolution of “The Thin Book of Trust”
00:41:42 - Where to Learn More
📌 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗡:
Website: https://go.ryanhanley.com/
Course Page: https://masteroftheclose.com/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ryan-hanley-show/id1480262657
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AZFuTiQsgS9hMQDDdtlOr?si=98432b7806534486
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_hanley