Trusting Your Team: The Key to Better Leadership

When you lead a team, the expectations you set matter more than you might realize. People tend to rise — or fall — to meet the level of trust you show them. If you trust your team and work to be worthy of their trust in return, you create an environment where they’re motivated to meet (and often exceed) your expectations.

Danger of Micromanaging

One of the biggest traps leaders fall into is micromanaging. It usually comes from a good place — you care deeply about the work and want it done right. But trying to control every detail doesn’t just exhaust you; it also damages the team you're trying to build.

When employees feel like someone is constantly looking over their shoulder, it can breed resentment. Even worse, it stunts their growth. Part of becoming great at any role is figuring things out for yourself, and sometimes that includes learning from mistakes. Allowing your team the space to stumble now and then is essential. Failure, handled well, often becomes the stepping stone to success.

How to Step Back (Without Losing Control)

Here are a few strategies to help you build trust and avoid the temptation to micromanage:

• Require solutions, not just problems. Ask employees to bring at least two possible solutions when they come to you with an issue. This encourages problem-solving skills and helps them think critically before seeking your input.
• Set structured availability. Keeping your door open all day might make you feel accessible, but it can actually create dependency. Instead, consider setting “open hours” when people can drop by freely, and reserve other times for scheduled appointments. This balances support with independence.
• Pause before jumping in. When you see a team member struggling, resist the immediate urge to intervene. Count slowly to 10 and ask yourself: Is this a moment where stepping in is truly necessary, or could this be a valuable learning opportunity for them?

Trust doesn’t mean abandoning your team — it means giving them enough space to grow into the best versions of themselves, while knowing you’ll be there if they truly need you.