Distrust Breeds More Distrust

Overview
When leaders fail to trust their engineering teams, a cycle of suspicion and micromanagement can emerge, eroding performance and morale. This article explores why distrust spreads, its impact on technical organizations, and practical steps to rebuild trust.

Key Takeaways

• Trust is a foundational component of high-performing engineering teams.
• Lack of trust leads to increased overhead, slower delivery, and higher turnover.
• Leaders can restore trust by empowering teams, practicing transparent communication, and avoiding unnecessary control.
• Regular feedback loops and clear decision-making criteria help sustain trust over time.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers and directors.
• Technical leads and team leads.
• CTOs and VP of Engineering.
• Anyone responsible for building and maintaining high-trust cultures.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Psychological Safety (Google's Project Aristotle).
• Delegation and Empowerment framework.
• Continuous Feedback loops (e.g., 1-on-1s, retrospectives).