Last year, I opened registration for our LeadHerShip cruise—an event which at the time was over a year away. I expected a trickle of interest, but what happened next surprised even me. Deposits came in swiftly, with participants committing months in advance. There was no “early bird” frenzy, no hard sell. Just a simple invitation, and people responded.
Why? Because of trust. Not the flashy, headline-grabbing kind, but the quiet trust earned from years of showing up, keeping promises, and doing what I said I would do—every single time. My reputation preceded me, and that made all the difference.
Trust, I’ve realized, is the invisible currency of leadership. It’s not built on grand gestures, but on the small, consistent actions: returning calls, honouring deadlines, admitting mistakes. These “deposits” accumulate over time, creating a surplus that pays dividends when you need it most.
Lessons in Trust
Trust the Process: The small things matter. Every “yes,” every fulfilled promise, is a brick in your leadership foundation.
Reputation is Your Resume: People do business with those they trust. Your word is your bond—guard it fiercely.
Transparency Wins: When things go wrong (and they will), own it. Vulnerability builds trust faster than perfection ever could.
Trust in Leadership: The best leaders inspire trust not just with their words, but with their actions—day in, day out.
Podcast Reflection 🎙️
Throwback Episode: Building Trust and Collaboration—Insights from Mike Robbins
This week, let’s revisit my conversation with Mike Robbins, author of We’re All in This Together. Mike’s work with companies like Google and Microsoft centers on one theme: trust is the glue of great teams. In our chat, he shares how vulnerability, authenticity, and open communication turn groups into high-performing teams. If you’re ready to move from “command and control” to “trust and inspire,” this episode is for you.
Listen here: Building Trust and Collaboration – Mike Robbins
Scripture Spotlight ✝️
Proverbs 11:3 (NIV):“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”
Integrity and trust go hand in hand. When we lead with honesty and transparency, we create a path others want to follow.
The Science of Trust 🔬
Did you know? According to Paul J. Zak’s research published in the Harvard Business Review, employees at high-trust companies report 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, and 50% higher productivity. Trust literally changes brain chemistry—boosting oxytocin and reducing stress hormones.
Google’s Project Aristotle found that “psychological safety”—the belief that it’s safe to take risks—was the top predictor of team success. And what’s at the heart of psychological safety? Trust.
Fun Fact of the Week 🤔
A one-eighth improvement in a hotel’s leadership trust score led to a 2.5% increase in profitability. Trust isn’t just good for morale—it’s good for the bottom line!
Resource of the Week 📚
Book: Trust and Inspire by Stephen M.R. Covey
A must-read for leaders ready to move beyond “command and control” and unleash greatness through trust.
Podcasting Resource: Podcast Success Blueprint – Free eBookBuild to interview like a pro. – https://bit.ly/PodSuccess
Bulletin Board: What’s New With Heneka
Leadercast Kingston: October 7 at The Summit, Kingston. Early bird tickets at spurropen.com/leadercast.
LeadHerShip Cruise 2025: Set sail November 3-7, 2025. Secure your spot for a transformative leadership experience. https://bit.ly/LeadHerShip2025
Grace to Grow Cohort 6: Registration now open! Sign up here – https://bit.ly/G2Gcohort6registration
Coming Soon: The Entrepreneurial You TV (details to be provided)
Interactive Poll 📊
How do you most often build trust as a leader?
🔘 Consistently keeping promises
🔘 Practicing transparency
🔘 Admitting mistakes
🔘 Using humor to connect
🔘 Still working on it!
👉 Reply and let me know—or share your own!
Ready to Lead With Trust?
Remember: every interaction is a chance to make a deposit in your trust account. Whether you’re leading a team, launching a project, or building a movement, trust is your greatest asset. Guard it, nurture it, and watch your leadership legacy flourish.
If this resonated with you, please share it with a fellow leader or friend. Let’s shape a world where trust leads the way.
With gratitude and purpose,
Heneka Watkis-Porter
Podcast Queen | Leadership Visionary Architect | Coach | Grace to Grow Mentorship Founder
P.S. Want to stay in the loop? Join my mailing list here: TEY Newsletter
