What actions help a leader build trust within a team?

• A. Occasional updates and strict oversight
• B. Spontaneous decisions without consultation
• C. Consistent actions, honesty, open communication, fairness, and follow-through on promises
• D. Favoritism and selective communication

Answer: (C)

Trust in a team grows when a leader acts consistently, communicates openly, and keeps promises. Consistent actions let team members predict how the leader will respond, which reduces uncertainty and builds reliability. Honesty strengthens credibility; admitting mistakes and being transparent about challenges shows integrity. Open communication removes hidden agendas and helps everyone align on goals, roles, and expectations. Fairness in decisions and treatment signal respect for all team members, reducing perceptions of bias. Following through on commitments demonstrates accountability; when a leader keeps promises, trust deepens because people feel they can depend on what’s said and planned. Together, these behaviors create psychological safety, encourage collaboration, and boost engagement. In contrast, inconsistent updates, secrecy, or favoritism erode trust by signaling unreliability or unfairness.