Acknowledge to Rebuild Trust

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Proactively admitting mistakes and acknowledging missed deadlines is crucial in trust repair. This approach should focus on explaining the situation without justifying it, as justification can lead to blame-shifting. Leaders face the fear of being judged negatively, but prioritizing the rebuilding of trust over immediate reputation is key. This is particularly significant for women leaders, who may experience excessive blame, yet the long-term perception of trustworthiness remains more vital than transient judgments.

Trust smooths the way for collaboration, conflict resolution, and influence. But how do you build this asset? And how do you repair it when you’ve missed a series of important deadlines or otherwise messed up?

Organizational psychologist Ruchi Sinha talks with a listener who’s struggling to restore skeptics’ confidence in her and her team. Ruchi shares the three elements of trust and how to convey each one. She also offers advice on what to do if you’ve failed to acknowledge a broken promise and how to communicate practically when confidentiality prevents you from being totally transparent.

Guest expert:

Ruchi Sinha is an associate professor of organizational behavior at the University of South Australia Business School. Her research explores how voice, conflict, and power dynamics influence work relationships and performance outcomes.

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