No Bullsh!t Leadership Podcast

Episode: Moment 148 – How To Get Your Higher Ups To Trust You

Host: Martin G Moore

Release Date: November 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this focused “Moments with Marty” episode, Martin G Moore distills his no-nonsense approach to quickly earning the trust of higher-ups, whether you’re a CEO working with your board or a new leader managing up. He discusses why trust from above is crucial, busts the myth that trust takes years to establish, and shares six actionable principles to fast-track trust-building.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Impact of Trust (00:24 - 01:44)

• Martin emphasizes how trust distinguishes effective leaders:
  • Trusted leaders give their teams freedom and autonomy.
  • Without trust, people waste energy second-guessing intentions and reactions.
  • These dynamics apply both downward (to teams) and upward (to bosses or boards).

Trust Is Built Quickly, Not Over Years (01:10 - 02:22)

• Moore debunks the common belief that “building trust takes time”:
  • Anecdote: He shares the story of an executive struggling with trust, saying after nine months that “the team doesn’t trust me yet, but I’m working on it.”
  • Moore’s response:

    “If they don’t trust you by now, they never will.” (01:45)

  • The takeaway: trust isn’t about clocking time, but about consistently trustworthy actions from day one.

CEO-Board Dynamics and the “Strobe Light Effect” (02:23 - 03:55)

• Trust is especially critical between a CEO and their board:

  • Boards see only “snapshots” of the business (“the strobe light effect”).

    “The board only sees a brief image, a snapshot of the business at a point in time.” (03:13)

  • Boards rely on CEOs to be transparent and candid, not just positive.
  • The CEO’s every interaction shapes board perceptions and trust.

The Six Principles to Building Trust Fast (03:56 - 05:26)

Moore presents six universal principles to rapidly build trust with higher-ups. Whether CEO or first-time manager, these apply:

1. Be Open and Tell the Truth

   “You’ve got to be able to look the directors in the eye and let them feel your unimpeachable integrity.” (04:00)

2. Give Insight and Help Interpretation

   “Give them confidence that they’re getting accurate, timely information that they can rely upon.” (04:15)

   • Don’t just present facts; help your higher-ups interpret the data in context.

3. Share Your Thinking Transparently

   “Be clear about your values and your focus. Let them know what’s important to you, what you’ll do and what you won’t do.” (04:28)

   • Don’t be a “black box”—give a window into your decision-making.

4. Demonstrate Priorities: Company, Team, Self

   “If the board senses rampant self-interest, they’ll always be suspicious of your decisions.” (04:45)

   • Always act in the company’s best interests first, then your team, then yourself.

5. Take Full Accountability

   “Show them that you willingly accept ownership of everything in your remit. No excuses and no deflection.” (05:02)

   • Own results, set ambitious targets, and drive delivery.

6. Push Back Respectfully

   “Don’t just say yes to anything the board wants. Make sure you push back when necessary and engage them in robust debate if you disagree with the direction they’re giving you. This builds enormous trust.” (05:20)

   • Robust, respectful debate signals confidence, not defiance.

Why This Matters (05:27 - 06:04)

• Moore sums up:

  “With such limited time and opportunity, everything you do has to build the board’s confidence and trust in you. These principles are your roadmap to building trust quickly with your boss.” (05:36)

• Trust multiplies your influence – when higher-ups trust you, new doors open.

Memorable Quote

“You’d be amazed at how much more you can do when your higher-ups trust you.”
— Martin G Moore (05:53)

Recommended Further Listening

• For more depth:
  • Moore recommends episode 54, “Managing the Board,” for a fuller treatment of these themes.

    “For more depth on this insight, make sure you take 15 minutes to listen to episode 54 of the No Bullshit Leadership Podcast, Managing the Board.” (05:57)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “If they don’t trust you by now, they never will.” (01:45)
• “The board only sees a brief image, a snapshot of the business at a point in time.” (03:13)
• “You’ve got to be able to look the directors in the eye and let them feel your unimpeachable integrity.” (04:00)
• “Show them that you willingly accept ownership of everything in your remit. No excuses and no deflection.” (05:02)
• “Don’t just say yes to anything the board wants. Make sure you push back when necessary...” (05:20)

Useful for Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

• What you’ll learn:
  Practical, proven methods to earn your boss’s trust, suitable for any leadership level.
• Tone:
  Direct, candid, and actionable; Martin G Moore’s no-fluff, no-excuses style.

Summary Table of Key Principles

| Principle | Brief Explanation | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | 1. Be Open and Tell the Truth | Show integrity, be transparent, never sugar-coat | (04:00) | | 2. Give Insight and Help Interpretation | Provide context, help interpret information | (04:15) | | 3. Share Your Thinking Transparently | Explain reasoning, articulate values and boundaries | (04:28) | | 4. Demonstrate Priorities: Company, Team, Self | Show objective-driven intent, avoid self-interest | (04:45) | | 5. Take Full Accountability | Own outcomes, set high expectations, make no excuses | (05:02) | | 6. Push Back Respectfully | Challenge appropriately, encourage robust debate | (05:20) |

This episode delivers a rapid-fire masterclass on proving yourself worthy of trust, leveraging Moore’s blunt wisdom and decades of leadership experience. An essential listen for anyone looking to accelerate their career and influence upward.