Trust Isn’t a Feeling; It’s a System (with Steven Schmitt)
Most business owners are trying to figure out if they can trust someone based on a hunch.
They say things like, “I’ll know I can trust them once I’ve worked with them for a while…” or “I just don’t feel confident handing this off yet…”
But what if trust wasn’t something you had to wait to feel?
What if it were something you could build into the way your business operates?
That’s what I talked about on the TrustBuilt Podcast with Steven Schmitt of Willow Financial, and it’s honestly one of the simplest—but most powerful—ideas I’ve come across.
One Radical (and Surprisingly Simple) Way to Build Trust
Here’s what Steven’s team does: they use a shared inbox.
That’s it. That’s the system.
Everyone sees the same client messages in real time. No secrets. No silos.
So when a new team member joins, there’s no faking it.
They either engage, respond, and contribute—or they don’t. And if they don’t? You find out fast.
“It’s not about micromanaging,” Steven said. “It’s about creating the kind of transparency that makes trust possible.”
That hit me.
Because too many of us are making trust a vibe—when what we really need is to make it a process.
What Trust Looks Like on the Inside
Steven and I talked about how this one system:
Makes onboarding easier
Builds confidence with clients
Prevents “lone ranger” habits
Encourages collaboration
Gives leaders peace of mind
If something falls through the cracks? You know. If someone drops the ball? It’s visible. Not to punish them—but to coach them.
That’s the difference between a culture of accountability and a culture of blame.
Want to Know If You Can Trust Your Team?
Stop Guessing
If you’re still holding onto everything because you’re not sure your team will follow through…
If you’ve been burned before and you’re hesitant to hand off responsibility again…
If you want to build trust but don’t know how…
Then watch this: Why Trust & Transparency Are the Keys to a Stronger Team
Stop Running Everything Yourself
A team that can be trusted frees you up to lead, grow, and step out of the weeds.
Let’s talk about how to build those systems in your business.
Like what you hear? Follow and subscribe to the TrustBuilt Podcast—where we talk with real leaders about building trust, building teams, and building businesses that last.
