Imagine this vividly:

You sit at your desk, stunned by the resignation email from your top performer — the brilliant team member you’ve always counted on.

This wasn’t just anyone; this was your “go-to” person, someone you’d invested in heavily and trusted deeply.

You replay your last few interactions in your mind. Nothing stood out. They were smiling, delivering excellent work, and never voiced concerns openly.

Everything seemed “fine.”

Yet here you are, feeling blindsided.

A few days later, you finally get to ask them why.

The response hits you hard:

“I never felt safe being completely honest here.”

Suddenly, you see the signs you missed:

• Meetings where conversations stayed polite but superficial.
• Issues raised indirectly or after the fact.
• Debates that never really happened because people were afraid of upsetting each other.

This isn’t just a resignation; it’s a symptom of something deeper: The Trust Gap.

What the Trust Gap Really Costs You

Trust is the currency of leadership.

Without it, everything becomes harder: motivation, accountability, creativity, and commitment.

When trust breaks down, even subtly, your best people become guarded.

They stop challenging ideas, speaking openly, or sharing genuine feedback.

Eventually, they leave — not always loudly or dramatically, but quietly, slipping out the back door.

I’ve coached a few senior leaders in Nordic organizations who thought trust was fine until their best talent started leaving unexpectedly.

It wasn’t the compensation or career opportunities elsewhere. It was simply this:

They didn’t feel psychologically safe.

Practical Steps to Close Your Trust Gap Now

Here are a few immediate actions you can take to build real trust on your team:

1. Conduct a Trust Audit

Reflect honestly: Do your people speak openly in meetings?

2. Create Psychological Safety

Regularly ask questions like: “What’s something difficult we’re not addressing openly?”

3. Model Vulnerability First

Share your own mistakes openly. Demonstrate that it’s safe to admit imperfections.

4. Be Consistent

Trust grows from consistency. If you say you’ll follow up, always do.

Your consistency builds credibility.

Take Action: Join My Free Trust Gap Session

If the scenario above resonates at all, join me for a practical, actionable session designed to help you understand, diagnose, and close the Trust Gap on your team:

🎯 The Trust Gap: Why Your Team Isn’t Fully Open With You (And How to Fix It)

📅 May 6 | 🕒 8:00 AM CET | 💻 Live on Zoom

You’ll receive clear tools, immediate steps, and a simple framework — the Trust-Building Blueprint — to build a genuinely open, psychologically safe environment for your team.

👉 Reserve Your Spot Here

Don’t wait for your best people to leave before addressing trust.

Close the gap proactively, and create a team environment where everyone feels safe, heard, and genuinely engaged.