--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Employees who can't trust their leader to…" description: "\"Employees who can't trust their leader to be vulnerable are not going to be vulnerable and build trust with one another.\" — Patrick Lencioni" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/patrick-lencioni-1969_build_employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-t_2611582.png" --- # Employees who can't trust their leader to be vulnerable… ![“Employees who can't trust their leader to be vulnerable are not going to be vulnerable and build trust with one another.” quote by Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/patrick-lencioni-1969_build_employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-t_2611582.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/patrick-lencioni-1969_build_employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-t_2611582.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/patrick-lencioni-1969_build_employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-t_2611582.png) > “Employees who can't trust their leader to be vulnerable are not going to be vulnerable and build trust with one another.” [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Trust requires leaders to show vulnerability; without it, team members cannot open up or build mutual confidence. **In simple terms:** Leaders must be open to earn trust. Key Takeaway Show vulnerability to foster trust. Themes leadership trust team dynamics Mood reflective serious Type advice leadership When to use this quote - team meetings - performance reviews - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychological safety authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How can a leader model genuine openness? - What barriers prevent team members from trusting? A Different Perspective If leaders are perceived as insincere, vulnerability may be seen as manipulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Build](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build/) [Build Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build-trust/) [Employees Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employees-trust-2031918/) [Going Vulnerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-vulnerable-2031919/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leader Vulnerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader-vulnerable-2031917/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) [Trust Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust-leader-789161/) [Vulnerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerable/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) ## Related quotes > [“An angry leader is a scared leader or a hurt leader or a frustrated leader but most of all they are a vulnerable leader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-rohrmayer/an-angry-leader-is-a-scared-leader-or-a-hurt-leader-or-a-frustrated/) [Gary Rohrmayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-rohrmayer/) > [“When employees trust the leadership, they become brand ambassadors and in turn cause progressive change in their families, society, and environment. The return on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laszlo-bock/when-employees-trust-the-leadership-they-become-brand-ambassadors-and/) [Laszlo Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laszlo-bock/) > [I was always going to be vulnerable when I left the Verve. It was a hardening experience for me. People saw me stripped down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ashcroft/i-was-always-going-to-be-vulnerable-when-i-left-the-verve-it-was-a/) [Richard Ashcroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ashcroft/) > [People are much more likely to trust a leader if they know he is compassionate and forgiving of mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-t-phillips/people-are-much-more-likely-to-trust-a-leader-if-they-know-he-is/) [Donald T. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-t-phillips/) > [“One thing has always kept me going—and it’s not really courage or bravery, unless that’s what courage or bravery is made of—is that sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/one-thing-has-always-kept-me-going-and-it-s-not-really-courage-or/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [I don't know a lot about politics but I have great trust in him as leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geri-halliwell/i-don-t-know-a-lot-about-politics-but-i-have-great-trust-in-him-as/) [Geri Halliwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geri-halliwell/) > [A weapon kills people and makes people in cities dominated by fear. But if you turn it into an instrument, it's like social gold.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-reyes/a-weapon-kills-people-and-makes-people-in-cities-dominated-by-fear/) [Pedro Reyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-reyes/) > [Don't forget: when you start a website, it's not yet a trusted site. So you have to bring people from a trusted site to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/don-t-forget-when-you-start-a-website-it-s-not-yet-a-trusted-site-so/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [The way you build trust with your team is around super-clear communication in that instant when they say, 'I will be sad if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-costolo/the-way-you-build-trust-with-your-team-is-around-super-clear/) [Dick Costolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-costolo/) > [“First, we go figure out how to recognize a real team player, the kind of person who can easily build trust, engage in healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/first-we-go-figure-out-how-to-recognize-a-real-team-player-the-kind/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [You have to build trust among team members so that people feel free to admit what they don't know, make mistakes, ask for help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/you-have-to-build-trust-among-team-members-so-that-people-feel-free/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Various channels of dialogue must be kept open to build trust. I will meet North Korea's leader if it is needed to develop relations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-geun-hye/various-channels-of-dialogue-must-be-kept-open-to-build-trust-i-will/) [Park Geun-hye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-geun-hye/) > [“Work hard to build or rebuild trust. With it, you can fulfill the greatest dreams. Without it, you’ll crush people’s spirits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-chand/work-hard-to-build-or-rebuild-trust-with-it-you-can-fulfill-the/) [Samuel Chand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-chand/) > [If you're not open, you're not transparent, you're still holding on to vaults of information, you're not going to build that trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-newsom/if-you-re-not-open-you-re-not-transparent-you-re-still-holding-on-to/) [Gavin Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-newsom/) > [It takes time to build trust, but it only takes one mistake to mess it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-time-to-build-trust-but-it-only-takes-one-mistake-to-mess-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Patrick Lencioni > [The vast majority of organizations today have more than enough intelligence, experience and knowledge to be successful. What they lack is organizational health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-vast-majority-of-organizations-today-have-more-than-enough/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Trust is the foundation of real teamwork (there is nothing touchy-feely about this).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/trust-is-the-foundation-of-real-teamwork-there-is-nothing-touchy/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“There is something so powerful about a person who in one moment can be confident enough to confront a client about a sensitive personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/there-is-something-so-powerful-about-a-person-who-in-one-moment-can/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“The idea is that your clients are looking for good suggestions, and they don’t mind sifting through some not-so-good ones as long as they’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-idea-is-that-your-clients-are-looking-for-good-suggestions-and/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Are your people uncomfortable during meetings and tired at the end? If not, they're probably not mixing it up enough and getting to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/are-your-people-uncomfortable-during-meetings-and-tired-at-the-end-if/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [An organization has integrity—is healthy—when it is whole, consistent, and complete, that is, when its management, operations, strategy, and culture fit together and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/an-organization-has-integrity-is-healthy-when-it-is-whole-consistent/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I've become absolutely convinced that the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre or unsuccessful ones has little, if anything, to do with what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-ve-become-absolutely-convinced-that-the-seminal-difference-between/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [Home is most important in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/home-is-most-important-in-the-long-run/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [If you don't know what your family stands for and what your life situation is, you're in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/if-you-don-t-know-what-your-family-stands-for-and-what-your-life/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“First, we go figure out how to recognize a real team player, the kind of person who can easily build trust, engage in healthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/first-we-go-figure-out-how-to-recognize-a-real-team-player-the-kind/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [People will walk through fire for a leader that's true and human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/people-will-walk-through-fire-for-a-leader-that-s-true-and-human/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [The majority of meetings should be discussions that lead to decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/the-majority-of-meetings-should-be-discussions-that-lead-to-decisions/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [At its core, all authentic growth depends on more customers wanting more of what your company offers. Any other drivers - pricing gimmicks, heroic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/at-its-core-all-authentic-growth-depends-on-more-customers-wanting/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESSES AND LIMITATIONS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/admit-your-weaknesses-and-limitations/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [I have yet to meet members of a leadership team who I thought lacked the intelligence or the domain expertise required to be successful.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-have-yet-to-meet-members-of-a-leadership-team-who-i-thought-lacked/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) [Explore all 194 Patrick Lencioni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) ## More Build quotes > [It's really fun and challenging to build things that have never been built before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mason/it-s-really-fun-and-challenging-to-build-things-that-have-never-been/) [Hilary Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mason/) > [I build on Christ, the rock of ages; on his sure mercies described in his word, and on his promises, all which I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/i-build-on-christ-the-rock-of-ages-on-his-sure-mercies-described-in/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [The way you get wickets is, you've got to build pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-arthur/the-way-you-get-wickets-is-you-ve-got-to-build-pressure/) [Mickey Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-arthur/) > [For rich children, it'd be very easy and convenient never to take any steps to build an identity outside of your association with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-johnson/for-rich-children-it-d-be-very-easy-and-convenient-never-to-take-any/) [Jamie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-johnson/) > [The millennials were raised in a cocoon, their anxious parents afraid to let them go out in the park to play. So should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/the-millennials-were-raised-in-a-cocoon-their-anxious-parents-afraid/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [You have to build what the market needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-s-miller/you-have-to-build-what-the-market-needs/) [Jamie S. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-s-miller/) > [I oppose any proposal for the federal government to build and operate a nationwide 5G network.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajit-pai/i-oppose-any-proposal-for-the-federal-government-to-build-and-operate/) [Ajit Pai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajit-pai/) > [“Create with the heart; build with the mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/create-with-the-heart-build-with-the-mind/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Since, however, it is immaterial whether the work is done by assistants or a machine, I decided to build a machine equivalent to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/since-however-it-is-immaterial-whether-the-work-is-done-by-assistants/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For 'Inhuman,' it's a 'chess game' series. You have a lot of pieces moving different ways at once, and it's about what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-soule/for-inhuman-it-s-a-chess-game-series-you-have-a-lot-of-pieces-moving/) [Charles Soule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-soule/) > [What we need to make sure we do as a team is build the quickest car on the grid - if we have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valtteri-bottas/what-we-need-to-make-sure-we-do-as-a-team-is-build-the-quickest-car/) [Valtteri Bottas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valtteri-bottas/) > [Always build. If you start at fever pitch, there's nowhere to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goldman/always-build-if-you-start-at-fever-pitch-there-s-nowhere-to-go/) [Jane Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goldman/) > [I have spent my career helping to build and grow businesses, and if I've learned one thing, it's that being pro-business and pro-consumer are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/i-have-spent-my-career-helping-to-build-and-grow-businesses-and-if-i/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [If you can build it, you can unbuild it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-pitts/if-you-can-build-it-you-can-unbuild-it/) [Jake Pitts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-pitts/) > [You don't build your character by doing what everybody else is doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ghosn/you-don-t-build-your-character-by-doing-what-everybody-else-is-doing/) [Carlos Ghosn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ghosn/) [Browse all 1,564 Build quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Employees who can't trust their leader to be vulnerable are not going to be vulnerable and build trust with one another.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patrick Lencioni" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-to-be-vulnerable-are-not-going/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Build" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-to-be-vulnerable-are-not-going/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/patrick-lencioni-1969_build_employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-t_2611582.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/patrick-lencioni-1969_build_employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-t_2611582.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/998/patrick-lencioni-1969_build_employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-t_2611582.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Employees who can't trust their leader to be vulnerable are not going to be vulnerable and build trust with…” — Patrick Lencioni", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Patrick Lencioni", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Employees who can't trust their leader...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-to-be-vulnerable-are-not-going/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/employees-who-can-t-trust-their-leader-to-be-vulnerable-are-not-going/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```