On the Road to Trust

Have you ever noticed how much trust is involved in something as ordinary as driving?

On a two-lane country road, there’s only a thin painted line separating you from the oncoming car. No guardrail, no barrier — just mutual trust. You believe that the other driver will stay in their lane, just as they believe you’ll stay in yours. It’s simple, silent, and instinctive. You don’t even think about it most days, but your safety depends on it.

Now shift the scene to a multi-lane highway.

Cars to your left, right, in front, and behind. Suddenly, the trust dynamic becomes more complex. You’re relying on everyone to not only stay in their lane, but also to check their blind spots, use their signals, and merge responsibly. Your trust isn’t passive anymore; it’s active. You drive with more awareness, because your safety depends on the intentional cooperation of many.

This isn’t just about driving. It’s about life, leadership, and relationships.

In our closest relationships — especially with a significant other — trust goes far beyond “staying in your lane.” It means vulnerability, honesty, and the willingness to carry each other’s hopes and hurts. It’s not instinctive; it’s cultivated. You’re not just coexisting side by side; you’re sharing direction and destination.

The same applies to leadership. Leading a team requires more than assuming people will “do their jobs.” It requires building intentional trust: clear communication, shared goals, accountability, and the humility to adjust when things shift. Like traffic on a busy highway, it only works when everyone is aware of the others, making space, signaling intentions, and respecting boundaries.

The deeper the relationship, the more deliberate the trust.

• Two-lane trust is basic and necessary.

• Multi-lane trust requires intention and awareness.

• The best relationships as well as leadership trust requires commitment, vulnerability, and the willingness to adapt together.

• 
  

Driving shows us we already practice trust every day. But in relationships and leadership, trust can’t be left on autopilot — it has to be built, nurtured, and renewed.

Because at the end of the day, trust isn’t just about avoiding collisions. It’s about moving forward together.  Ultimately, this intentionality is what separates one from the crowd.  This is why we often say, “Lead yourself to better lead others.”  If you do not model the leadership you expect in relationships and interactions with others, then your leadership could need a little more development.  Remember, until you practice leadership “in the harbor” (ie. in a safe, practicing environment, like a harbor or marina), you will continue to make the same mistakes you’ve made previously.  Navigating your life is a choice, your choice.  Let us know if we can become part of your compass, and find your direction. 

Brian