Have you ever reached the point where disappointment no longer feels temporary, but starts to change the way you trust? That shift can be hard to name, especially in leadership.
In this episode, I return to the conversation on disappointment and take it one step deeper by exploring what happens when repeated disappointment becomes a loss of trust. I share why trust rarely breaks all at once, but instead erodes through small unmet expectations, repeated patterns, and the quiet weight of carrying the emotional burden of repair on your own.
Drawing on Brené Brown’s BRAVING framework, Adam Grant’s insights on accountability, and reflections on the difference between covenant and contract, I reveal what trust really requires. With this, we discover how we can begin to discern whether trust is actually being rebuilt or whether we are simply learning to live without it.
I close with a reflection on wisdom, integrity, and the courage it takes to lead well when trust feels fragile.
Timestamps:
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01:40) When disappointment turns into distrust
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04:08) Understanding the BRAVING trust framework
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05:30) How trust begins to erode
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07:29) Asking whether trust is being repaired
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10:12) How trust works at work and in marriage
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12:26) Finding wisdom in whether to stay or leave
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14:09) Scripture, reflection, and learning to trust yourself
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What is Leading Well?
Leading Well is a short, impactful podcast for executive women, and the men who support them, who want to lead with purpose and show up well in every part of their lives.
Through 10–15 minute solo episodes, leadership coach and speaker Gretchen Schott shares insights, practical tools, and personal reflections that help you navigate people problems, lead with authenticity, and grow your confidence from the inside out.
Rooted in faith and designed to inspire, each episode ends with a brief prayer—an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect.
If you’re ready to build trust, clarity, and connection in your work and life, Leading Well is your weekly dose of encouragement and strategy.