The Three C’s of Trust for CEOs: Character, Communication, and Capability 

Imagine stepping into a meeting where everyone is operating within the shared belief that “anything is possible.” You can feel the energy, the can-do attitude, the shared drive to create and collaborate. This is the power of trust building when it’s present.   

Trust elevates energy, inspires confidence, nourishes the spirit, and opens the doors of innovation. The totality of this collective field of energy encourages people to dream bigger, take smarter risks, and sense that together, they’re on the edge of something extraordinary.   

But when trust is missing, doubt creeps in, suddenly—out of seemingly nowhere—suspicion sets in, communication breaks down, and even the simplest of tasks feels heavy. People shut down, retreat into silos, and start questioning each other—and themselves. This stark contrast makes one thing clear: trust is the bridge between the business need for results and the human need for connection. So, where does trust begin?   

Trust begins with you. It starts with your capacity for trust— your readiness and willingness to trust yourself and others. This inner capacity influences your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs. It colors your outlook—how open you are to new ideas, how willing you are to risk connection, how bravely you step into the unknown.  

When you trust yourself, you’re more willing to lean into life’s gray areas—to move beyond rigid black-and-white thinking and embrace complexity with curiosity. You become more open to diverse perspectives, to differences, to dialogue. Self-trust is what enables you to extend grace. To take a breath before judging. To believe in the potential of others, even when certainty isn’t guaranteed. It’s not about trusting unquestioningly. It’s about trusting consciously rooted in awareness, aligned with your values, and fueled by the courage to grow.   

Trust begins with your commitment to relationships. But here’s the truth—trust is earned through one thing and one thing only, your behavior. Through our years of research and practice, we developed the Three Dimensions of Trust®—a practical behavioral blueprint to help you build trust with the people you work with, live with, and love.   

Just as a painter may start with a sketch on a clean canvas to guide their painting, building trust begins with a clear framework. For us, that framework is the Reina Dimensions of Trust—or what we call the Three Cs. 

And, just as an artist uses technique to create height, width, and depth, so too do the Three Dimensions of Trust bring depth and shape to how trust is built. They offer a clear, behavioral road map for growing trust in any relationship. So, let’s explore what brings trust to life.  

Trust of Character® Centers on Reliability   

Do you do what you say you’ll do? Do you keep your promises and honor your commitments? Do you consistently align your actions with your words? Because when you do, you build credibility and foster alignment.   

Consider someone who consistently shows up and follows through on commitments—someone you and others can count on to contribute to the success of the team. People know they can depend on this person to deliver results, and that dependability fosters a sense of reliability, confidence, and capability.   

Now imagine the opposite: a peer who frequently breaks promises, skipping scheduled meetings without notice and leaving their teammates uncertain and guessing. Over time this inconsistency chips away at trust. You and others become hesitant to engage, everyone begins to pull back, and collaboration breaks down. This is the invisible energy of trust at work—a force that when present, expands, producing results and connection, but when absent, contracts, holding back even the best efforts.  

What quickly becomes apparent is that when Trust of Character is present, people work with shared purpose, understand their roles, and stay committed to each other’s success. That level of trust then becomes the engine of performance.   

Key behaviors include consistency in managing expectations to meet needs; establishing boundaries; aligning words with actions; keeping agreements; supporting others’ success while strengthening your own.  

Trust of Communication® Centers on Honesty and Transparency 

Are you willing to speak the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable? Do you listen deeply and engage in honest, meaningful dialogue? Do people feel safe bringing sensitive or tough topics to you?   

Clear communication is the gateway to open, honest dialogue. It fosters understanding and creates a space where people feel safe sharing ideas, concerns, and vulnerabilities. Trust of Communication helps clear the air and reduces uncertainty by encouraging direct, effective conversations. It replaces gossip, rumor, and second-guessing with direct, respectful dialogue.   

In this environment, no one is left wondering where they stand because everything is out in the open and everyone’s on the same page.  

Trust of Communication establishes the flow of information, deepens connection through truth telling, and supports people to grow by making space for constructive feedback.   

Key behaviors include consistency in sharing information transparently; providing what others need; fostering relationships through honest and straightforward communication; admitting mistakes and embracing their lessons; creating a safe space for growth; listening deeply to hear the truth and speaking with positive intention; offering constructive feedback that supports innovation, development, and the best in others.  

Trust of Capability® Centers on Acknowledging Skills and Abilities   

Do you empower your peers by involving them in decisions, and acknowledge their efforts and the difference they make? Do you show you believe in their abilities while also supporting them to grow, reach their aspirations, and succeed? Are you contributing to an environment where collaboration and learning can thrive?   

Trust of Capability means believing in potential—both your own and others’. While leadership can provide training, development, and resources, it’s the consistent everyday encouragement between peers—and each person’s dedication to learning—that truly fuels confidence, fosters development, and empowers the whole team to succeed.   

Key behaviors include consistency in acknowledging skills and contributions; seeking input; involving others’ points of view; encouraging growth; building confidence in your abilities; recognizing your limitations; empowering others to take ownership  

In looking at the key behaviors of the Three Cs, you may have noticed one recurring word: consistency. The Three Cs remind us that we can never take trust for granted. Trust must be actively maintained through intentional choices and steady actions. That’s why trust is not a one-time achievement, but rather an ongoing commitment to your relationships. Through practicing these behaviors consistently, you create patterns of trustworthiness that strengthen relationships over time.  

Trust is everyone’s responsibility, and as CEO you are in a unique position to set standards for behavior that will ripple through your organization. As the inevitable challenges arise, you can model trust in action by naming the pressure (trust of character), inviting honest dialogue (trust of communication), and trusting the team’s abilities (trust of capability). Your steady presence guides your people back to focus, integrity, and shared commitment – making your organization well-prepared to weather any storm.  

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Excerpted from The Art of Trust Building: Transform Lives, Teams, and Organizations by Dr. Dennis and Dr. Michelle Reina (Berrett-Koehler Publishers; January 2026).