Trust isn’t soft. It’s the skill that separates managers people tolerate from leaders they choose to follow.
Most managers don’t lose trust because they’re bad at their jobs. They lose it because they avoid hard conversations, blur expectations, and stay too busy to lead.
Justin Patton, founder of The Trust Architect Group, has coached thousands of leaders through this exact breakdown. In Managers Who Build Trust, he delivers a playbook for building credibility, creating clarity, and leading with confidence. This isn’t a theory. It is what actually works, and it is transforming the way leaders show up for their teams.
The Journey from “Performing” to “Leading”
Justin’s journey to becoming a trust expert wasn’t always straightforward. A former English teacher turned national sales trainer, Patton had a front-row seat to the complexities of leadership in fast-paced environments. But it wasn’t until after a personal crisis, the loss of his father, that he realized something crucial: true leadership isn’t just about hitting goals or managing projects. It’s about building relationships that create sustainable results.
For over a decade, Patton performed leadership rather than embodying it. His early career was marked by hitting targets and crossing finish lines alone. But in the process, he disconnected from the people around him. It wasn’t until he started looking inward, focusing on self-awareness and emotional intelligence, that everything changed.
“Leadership starts with me,” Justin says. “If you’re going to be a great leader of others, you must first be a great leader of yourself. Once I realized that, everything shifted.”
This moment of clarity reshaped Patton’s approach to leadership, leading him to found The Trust Architect Group. He has worked with organizations worldwide, including Ford Motor Company, Taco Bell, GE Appliances, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the NCAA, teaching leaders how to transform trust from an abstract concept into a tangible, actionable strategy.
Turning Trust into a Leadership Strategy
While many leaders understand that trust is important, Patton believes it’s the how that is often overlooked. Managers Who Build Trust doesn’t just talk about trust in abstract terms, it provides a step-by-step guide for how managers can create a culture of trust that scales across their team and the organization.
One of the biggest reasons managers struggle to build trust is undermanagement. It shows up when leaders don’t give enough direction, avoid tough conversations, and stay stuck in being busy instead of being present. Some are too focused on being liked. Others were never trained and are left to figure it out on their own. The result is confusion, poor communication, and missed opportunities to lead with purpose.
In Managers Who Build Trust, Patton reframes trust not as a soft skill but as a repeatable leadership strategy. At the heart of this strategy are four essential plays every great manager must run consistently:
- Build authentic relationships
- Set clear expectations
- Lean into performance conversations
- Recognize what’s right
These plays aren’t optional. They are the daily moves that determine whether a manager builds trust or breaks it. They work across industries, leadership styles, and team structures.
For leaders who want to see how they’re doing and take the next step, Patton created MyTrustAudit.com. It’s a free, five-minute assessment that helps managers score themselves on the behaviors that matter most to building trust.
A Unique Approach to Leadership Development
What makes Patton’s approach to leadership development so different from others? It’s his deep understanding that trust isn’t just a soft skill, it’s a strategic imperative.
Most leadership programs teach time management and delegation. Justin teaches something deeper: how to lead with trust so people don’t quit on you emotionally before they quit on paper.
“I’ve seen high performers who weren’t great team players,” he notes. “Some of the most toxic people in organizations are the ones getting celebrated for crossing finish lines alone. But if you can’t take people with you, if you can’t pass the ball or celebrate someone else’s success, then that’s not real leadership. And it’s not sustainable.”
Patton’s work goes beyond performance metrics. It’s about reconnecting with people, engaging in authentic interactions, and recognizing how trust shapes every relationship — professional and personal.
Trust Starts Here
At the core of everything Justin teaches is the belief that trust is not built through grand gestures. It is built in the micro-moments. The side comment. The follow-up. The way you handle tension when no one else will. Whether it is leaning into a difficult conversation, managing your intensity, or choosing to be fully present, trust is either built or broken in the small decisions leaders make every day.
This is where Justin’s signature Trust Starts Here™ framework comes to life. It is not just a phrase. It is a challenge to every leader to show up with more intention, more consistency, and more courage in the moments that matter most.
The Lasting Impact of Trust
Patton’s work isn’t just about improving workplace dynamics; it’s about making a real, lasting impact on the lives of individuals. One of his most memorable moments came after a keynote at Ford, when a cameraman approached him and said, “I think you just saved my marriage.” It was a powerful reminder of how trust transcends the workplace and influences every aspect of a person’s life.
“Trust doesn’t clock out at 5 PM. It follows us home,” Patton says. “The way we show up as leaders affects who we are as partners, parents, and people. That’s why I take this work so seriously.”
Patton’s story is one of transformation, both personal and professional. It’s a reminder that, in a world full of distractions and pressures, leadership rooted in trust is what will truly move organizations forward. And it’s why Managers Who Build Trust is more than just a book, it’s a playbook for leaders who want to create meaningful change within their teams and beyond.
Justin Patton Named Best Executive Coach in the United States for 2025
We are thrilled to announce that Justin Patton has been recognized as the Best Executive Coach in the United States for 2025! This prestigious award highlights his exceptional ability to transform leadership through his innovative approach to building trust. Known for his commitment to clarity, authenticity, and sustainable leadership practices, Patton’s unique coaching strategies have reshaped the way leaders connect with their teams. His deep focus on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and actionable leadership has set him apart as a true industry leader.
Ready to Build Trust?
If you’re a manager who’s tired of winging it, or you want to stop guessing how to lead your team better, this book was written for you.
Managers Who Build Trust is a quick, powerful read packed with real strategies leaders can actually use. It’s just 100 pages, full color, and written to be applied, not shelved. Whether you’re leading a team, running a cohort, or coaching new managers, this book gives you the tools to do it better. You can grab it on Amazon or use it with your next leadership group.
If your conference, retreat, or team needs a reset, Justin Patton is the speaker leaders trust to shift energy, rethink communication, and teach people how to lead with more clarity and courage.
For more information about Justin Patton and his work, visit JustinPatton.com.
You can also follow Justin on his social media platforms for daily inspiration:
LinkedIn | Facebook | TikTok
