---
title: Do They Trust You? - Acumen
description: Do they trust you? Asked another way, would you follow you? What would your team say if I asked your team if they trust you? The absence of trust is the bottom layer in Patrick Lencioni’s triangle and book,  5 Dysfunctions of a Team. It’s because, without trust, you can’t lean into conflict, commitment, accountability, … Do They Trust You? Read More »
---

[The Higher Standard ](https://blog.acumenimpact.com)

# [Do They Trust You? - Acumen](https://blog.acumenimpact.com/do-they-trust-you)

 Written by [Dan Cooper](https://blog.acumenimpact.com/author/dan-cooper) | May 14, 2021 12:00:44 PM

Do they trust you?

Asked another way, would you follow you?

What would your team say if I asked your team if they trust you?

The absence of trust is the bottom layer in Patrick Lencioni’s triangle and book,  [5 Dysfunctions of a Team](https://i0.wp.com/www.spikesandstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/KgtLYNq.png?resize=738%2C446). It’s because, without trust, you can’t lean into conflict, commitment, accountability, and it affects results.

So how do you work on trust?

Next week we’re hosting [David Horsager](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhorsager/), CEO of the Trust Edge Leadership Institute, at our quarterly Advance Leadership Workshop. He’ll be speaking about his new book, [*Trusted Leader: 8 Pillars that Drive Results*](https://www.amazon.com/Trusted-Leader-Pillars-Drive-Results/dp/1523092998/).

The premise of David’s work is that your organization’s #1 expense is a lack of trust. He’s right. We’ve seen time and time again in our community that the root cause of the meatiest issues begins with a lack or loss of trust.

Whether it’s a lack of clarity, incompetence, a lack of commitment, tolerating inappropriate conduct/behavior, poor communication, a lack of appreciation, gratitude and compassion, unethical practices, miss-leading information (or lack of information), finger-pointing, inconsistent messaging, anger and rage, etc., a lack of trust IS you’re #1 expense.

In the book, Horsager outlines 8 pillars that drive trust and impact results. Clarity, Compassion, Character, Competency, Commitment, Connection, Contribution, Connection, and Consistency.

Would you follow you?

Would I trust me?

I underlined and circled these rhetorical and convicting questions. It was part of this section relating to the pillar of character. Do I possess the character qualities that are worth following? Who am I really behind the scenes, and is that aligned with how I show up for my team and those I lead?

[View full post](https://blog.acumenimpact.com/do-they-trust-you)

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