Add the first three; multiply by Vulnerability — the amplifier that determines whether trust multiplies or stalls.
When trust is low, speed drops, cost rises, and energy leaks into politics, hesitation and self-protection. When trust is high, conversations move faster, issues surface earlier, and effort goes to purpose rather than defence.
If energy is the fuel of performance, trust is the conductor — the invisible circuit that decides whether that energy flows or fractures.
Competence under pressure; sound judgement; the ability to navigate complexity.
Strength: solid decisions, skilful delivery, good trade-offs.
Weakness: avoidant decisions, frequent rework, skills gaps.
Reliability and congruence when it's tight, not just when it's easy.
Strength: keeps promises, steady pace, shows up the same way.
Weakness: slips without notice, variable standards, last-minute churn.
Genuine care for people and the shared mission — here to build, not extract.
Strength: team-first choices, generous help, stays for the fix.
Weakness: transactional behaviour, disappearing at friction points.
Appropriate openness; admits misses, asks for help, owns intent. It multiplies trust — vulnerability doesn't weaken credibility, it releases it.
Strength: proactive disclosure, balanced transparency.
Weakness: defensiveness, blame, withholding uncertainty.
Rate each pillar from 0–10. Add the first three, multiply by Vulnerability. Then pick the thinnest pillar and make one small repair over the next 7–14 days.
From the BET-F Trust Amplifier tool in Firing On All Cylinders.
We help leaders read trust honestly and repair it deliberately.
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