Trust—both giving and receiving—is vital for leaders; it forms the foundation of every organization. In his ‘biography of trust’, Oscar David explores how trust operates within individuals and teams. His central argument: trust is a verb. It requires knowledge, insight, and, most importantly, a continuous willingness to cultivate it—both within yourself and in collaboration with others.
David emphasizes that trust is, above all, a personal matter. As a psychologist and executive coach, he draws extensively from his expertise and personal experiences. He explains how fundamental trust develops in children through attachment theory, the role of upbringing, and the imprints we all carry. He also delves into the workings of the ego and superego, object relations, and the dynamics of transference and countertransference.
According to David, self-awareness is crucial for leadership. Building trust requires ongoing mindfulness: being present in the here and now, understanding and breaking old patterns, and allowing time for reflection. The more aligned you are with your true self, the more at ease and authoritative you become as a leader.
Beyond personal awareness, leaders must also cultivate trust as a team. This involves both fostering trust within the leadership group and projecting reliability to the organization. It starts with getting to know one another and setting clear expectations. Trust within a leadership team is built through respectful honesty—openly sharing what you observe, feel, think, and need.
Understanding colleagues’ personal lives also plays a role, though boundaries should be respected. Health issues affecting a partner or child, for example, can impact a leader’s performance. At the same time, people have different comfort levels with sharing personal matters. While some appreciate openness, others prefer more distance. Aligning on what is relevant within the team is therefore crucial.
David highlights several key components of trust-building: open communication, active listening, viewing mistakes as learning opportunities, and welcoming courageous conversations.
Trust is at the heart of effective leadership. This book provides valuable insights and practical guidance for leaders seeking to reflect on their own approach to trust and team dynamics.
Oscar David. De biografie van vertrouwen. Bouwen aan vertrouwen in een bestuurlijke context. Mediawerf, 2024