A father and daughter crossed a shaky bridge.
“Hold my hand so you don’t fall,” he said.
“No, Dad,” she replied.
“You hold mine. If I hold yours, I might let go. But if you hold mine, you’ll never drop me.”
The Trust Equation
My 76-year-old mother’s lifelong mantra: “Start with trust.” She never worked in corporate, but she cracked the code—trust isn’t earned, it’s given first.
Why Workplaces Need “Bridge Rules”
When teams trust:
- Work flows faster (no second-guessing).
- People stay longer (loyalty > paychecks).
- Stress shrinks (psychological safety blooms).
3 Ways to Be the “Dad Hand” at Work
- Ask, don’t tell
“What do you think?” beats “Do this.” Trust = involving others. - Listen like it’s your job
Put down the phone. Nod. Repeat their words. “I hear you” builds bridges. - Delegate to elevate
Hand them real responsibility—not just tasks. “I trust you with this” is rocket fuel.
Try this today: Tell one teammate, “I’ve got your back.” Then prove it.
