Flourishing as a CEO: Building Trust for Vigorous Growth
As a CEO, you want to see your business thrive. This year, I challenge you to aim higher: let’s talk about flourishing — vigorous growth that transforms not just your business, also your leadership and team dynamics. Flourishing is my word for the year, and I’m inviting you to join me on this journey.
Why Trust Matters for CEOs
Trust is foundational for any thriving business. Yet, in my work with CEOs and their teams, I’ve found a recurring issue: an unintentional lack of trust. CEOs often fall into the trap of micromanaging or stepping into roles outside their lane. While their intentions are good—ensuring outcomes or solving problems quickly—the unintended message to their teams is, “I don’t trust you to do this.”
When trust erodes, even unintentionally, team members may disengage. They start to pull back, believing that their contributions aren’t valued or that their leader will step in anyway. The result? A less engaged, less innovative, and less flourishing team.
The Courage to Trust
Trusting your team means being willing to feel uncomfortable. It’s about allowing things to be done differently than you would do them—and recognizing that “different” might even be better. Here are some ways to start:
Acknowledge Your Patterns: Be honest about your tendencies. For example, “I realize I often step in because I’m anxious about outcomes. It’s not about you, but about my habits.”
Communicate Vulnerably: Let your team know how you feel. Share your concerns and invite their input. For instance, “This is uncomfortable for me, but I want to build trust with you. Can I share what I’m thinking?”
Invite Feedback: Ask your team how your actions impact them. This creates an open space for dialogue and mutual understanding.
Practice Together: Trust-building is a skill. Offer to work through challenges together, fostering collaboration and deeper connections.
Watch the video here.
Slow Down to Flourish
Flourishing requires intentionality. It means slowing down and listening—not just to your team but to yourself. When you take the time to reflect, you’ll often find the answers you’ve been seeking.
Are you ready to flourish? If trust is a challenge in your leadership or team dynamics, let’s connect. I’d love to hear your thoughts and help you uncover patterns that may be holding you back. Together, we can create the flourishing growth you and your business deserve.
Xxoo,
Debra
Hear what other CEOs say about working with me here.