How to Build Trust Fast as a New Leader (Ep. 298)
Tue Feb 03 2026
Here's what they told you: "Trust takes time. Keep your head down, prove yourself, and eventually they'll trust you."
Wrong.
Research shows that a good part of your perceived effectiveness as a leader is locked in within the first 90 days and most of that perception forms in the first two weeks.
While you're busy "listening and learning," here's what's actually happening behind your back:
Your team is deciding if you're weak or strongThe old guard is calculating how to box you inYour boss is trying to figure out whether they made the right hire
The clock is ticking. And the game isn't about earning trust over time. It's about trust velocity: How fast can you establish credibility, predictability, and authority before that window closes?
In Episode 298 of The Manager Track, we break down:
The 2 Asymmetries that explain why new leaders struggle when trust isn't thereThe Frame Control Rule that flips power dynamics in your first conversationsThe 4-Level Trust Response Ladder to foster an environment for mutual trust to form without people pleasing or defensivenessThe Trust Investor Strategy: How giving trust before it's earned triggers a powerful reciprocity reflexThis isn't theory. This is what actually works behind closed doors at high-performing companies backed by behavioral science and real leadership wins.
If you've ever walked into a new role and felt like you were on trial, this episode is for you.
Listen now on our Website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
— RESOURCES MENTIONED —
Schedule a Leadership Strategy Call with Ramona HERE. Grab the free New Manager Toolkit mentioned in the episode: archova.org/freetoolkitsLearn how to turn your 1-on-1 meetings from time wasters, awkward moments, status updates, or non-existent into your most important and valuable meeting with your directs all week. Learn more at: http://archova.org/1on1-courseGrab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP
— OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE —
Episode 234 - Trusting Your Team & Your Team Trusting You - With Charles FeltmanEpisode 19 - The Importance of Trust in Leadership - With Brian Harman
— WHAT’S NEXT? —
Learn more about our leadership development programs, coaching and workshops at archova.org.
Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP
Want to better understand your leadership style and patterns? Take our free quiz to discover your Manager Archetype and learn how to play to your strengths and uncover your blind spots: archova.org/quiz
Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: archova.org/masterclass
Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and to our Spotify Page, and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!
If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw
* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.
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Here's what they told you: "Trust takes time. Keep your head down, prove yourself, and eventually they'll trust you." Wrong. Research shows that a good part of your perceived effectiveness as a leader is locked in within the first 90 days and most of that perception forms in the first two weeks. While you're busy "listening and learning," here's what's actually happening behind your back: Your team is deciding if you're weak or strongThe old guard is calculating how to box you inYour boss is trying to figure out whether they made the right hire The clock is ticking. And the game isn't about earning trust over time. It's about trust velocity: How fast can you establish credibility, predictability, and authority before that window closes? In Episode 298 of The Manager Track, we break down: The 2 Asymmetries that explain why new leaders struggle when trust isn't thereThe Frame Control Rule that flips power dynamics in your first conversationsThe 4-Level Trust Response Ladder to foster an environment for mutual trust to form without people pleasing or defensivenessThe Trust Investor Strategy: How giving trust before it's earned triggers a powerful reciprocity reflexThis isn't theory. This is what actually works behind closed doors at high-performing companies backed by behavioral science and real leadership wins. If you've ever walked into a new role and felt like you were on trial, this episode is for you. Listen now on our Website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. — RESOURCES MENTIONED — Schedule a Leadership Strategy Call with Ramona HERE. Grab the free New Manager Toolkit mentioned in the episode: archova.org/freetoolkitsLearn how to turn your 1-on-1 meetings from time wasters, awkward moments, status updates, or non-existent into your most important and valuable meeting with your directs all week. Learn more at: http://archova.org/1on1-courseGrab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP — OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE — Episode 234 - Trusting Your Team & Your Team Trusting You - With Charles FeltmanEpisode 19 - The Importance of Trust in Leadership - With Brian Harman — WHAT’S NEXT? — Learn more about our leadership development programs, coaching and workshops at archova.org. Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP Want to better understand your leadership style and patterns? Take our free quiz to discover your Manager Archetype and learn how to play to your strengths and uncover your blind spots: archova.org/quiz Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: archova.org/masterclass Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and to our Spotify Page, and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show! If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw * Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.