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June 10, 2026

Building a culture of trust and transparency

By · Founder and CEO coach · 70 founders and CEOs coached across 15 countries

Hi again,

I hope you are well. Thanks for reading, another issue below.

Trust isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential for high-functioning teams. In my experience managing cross-cultural teams from Paris to London, I found that trust comes from consistent transparency and honest communication.

1. Share Your Vision and Rationale

People don’t just need to know what to do; they need to understand why. Sharing your vision openly connects tasks to a larger purpose.

2. Acknowledge Challenges

When challenges arise, address them openly. This reinforces that honesty is valued, even when it’s difficult.

3. Create Space for Feedback

Encourage your team to speak up and really listen. Transparency isn’t just top-down; it’s two-way.

Action Step: In your next meeting, share a recent leadership challenge and how you approached it. This kind of transparency encourages a culture where trust flourishes.

If you want help putting this into practice, not just reading about it, Leadership Development is where I'd start.

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About the author

Peter Sorgenfrei built 6 companies over 15 years. In February 2020 he burned out completely, and he rebuilt from there. Since then he has coached 70 founders and CEOs across 15 countries. His book, The Whole Human Leader, is published by Wiley.

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