The Tiny Habits That Erode Trust (And How to Kick Them)

Hey there,

We talk a lot about how to build trust as a fractional CTO. But today, I want to flip the script and focus on the flip side: how to lose it.

After all, trust is a fragile thing. It can take months or even years to establish, but only moments to shatter.

As a fractional leader, you're particularly vulnerable to trust erosion. Because you're not a full-time employee, your relationships with stakeholders and team members are inherently more tenuous.

That's why it's so important to be mindful of the little things that can chip away at your credibility, often without you even realizing it.

Here are a few of the most common trust-killers I see:

1. Overpromising and underdelivering. It's tempting to paint a rosy picture to win the gig, but nothing destroys trust faster than missed deadlines and unmet expectations.

2. Overusing jargon. Yes, you're a tech expert. But constantly peppering your conversations with acronyms and buzzwords doesn't make you sound smarter - it makes you sound like you're compensating for something. The most impressive CTOs are the ones who can explain complex concepts in simple, relatable terms.

3. Playing the blame game. When things go wrong (and they will), pointing fingers is the quickest way to lose respect. A true leader takes accountability and focuses on solutions.

4. Nickel-and-diming. Constantly haggling over scope and invoices signals that you care more about your bottom line than the company's success.

5. Going dark. Disappearing for days or weeks at a time without communication is a recipe for resentment and mistrust.

The good news is, once you're aware of these trust-killing habits, they're relatively easy to kick. It just takes a commitment to self-awareness and a willingness to be humble.

The CTOx Accelerator has an internal culture and practice of calling out these behaviors when we see them - in ourselves and in each other. It's not about shame or blame, but about holding each other accountable to the high bar of integrity we aspire to.

So as you move through your day, keep an eye out for these trust traps. And if you catch yourself slipping, don't beat yourself up - just course-correct and keep moving forward. Trust is a journey, not a destination.

Staying vigilant with you,
Lior

Lior Weinstein
Founder & Head Coach, CTOx