Assume They Can: Leading with Trust Before Proof
Too many leaders wait for evidence before trusting someone. I do the opposite. I give trust early—and make it clear that growth comes from belief, not micromanagement.
I’ve never been a fan of the “prove it first” school of leadership. If someone’s joined the team, they’re already through the door. Why make them jump through hoops before they’re allowed to make an impact?
When you give people space and trust early on, most rise to the occasion. Not because they’ve figured it all out—but because someone believed they could.
Trust Is a Starting Point, Not a Reward
In high-performing environments—especially in industries like energy, mobility, and consulting—there’s always pressure to deliver. That pressure can create a culture of hesitation: don’t act until you’re sure, don’t speak unless you’ve got the data, don’t own something unless it’s perfect.
That’s not how I build teams. I’d rather work with people who are willing to stretch than people who play it safe. So I lead by showing that it’s okay to take initiative before you feel ready.
Creating a Zone for Growth
I’ve seen junior team members outperform senior ones simply because they were trusted early. I’ve seen operations leads step into client meetings that weren’t “their responsibility”—and absolutely crush it. I’ve watched people transform when someone removed the ceiling above them.
I don’t expect perfection. I expect curiosity, ownership, and follow-through. The rest can be coached.
What I Do as a Leader
- I give people stretch opportunities fast
- I praise bold thinking, even if the first version is rough
- I check in often but don’t hover
- I frame feedback as future-facing, not backward-looking
The Catch: You Have to Let Go
This leadership style isn’t for everyone. If you need to control every outcome, it will feel risky. But in my experience, this is how people grow fast. It’s how companies grow with them. And it’s how trust becomes a multiplier, not a bottleneck.
I write about leadership in high-growth, high-stakes environments. If this post resonates, follow along here or connect with me on LinkedIn or on X @rlivain_builds.
