The Science of Leadership

In this episode of The Science of Leadership, host Tom Collins sits down with retired Army Lieutenant General Doug Gabram, an Apache aviator who commanded troops from the captain level all the way to a three-star general. Together, they explore why trust is the "fuel for all of life" and the foundational ingredient for building championship teams. Doug shares deeply personal stories from the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, illustrating the life-and-death difference between implied trust—based on rank and title—and earned trust, which is forged through shared sacrifice and repetition. From the poignant "Bearcat 6" story to the critical decision to trust an international partner in a dangerous city, this conversation provides a raw look at how trust is built, tested, and remembered. Key topics include: Implied vs. Earned Trust: Understanding the transition from trusting a position to trusting the person behind it. The "Audio and Video" Match: Why a leader’s actions must align with their words to maintain reliability. Distrust as a Force: How the absence of trust isn't neutral, but a driving force that actively erodes relationships and team performance. The Four Cs of Trust: How Character, Competence, Caring, and Communication serve as the pillars of reliable leadership. The Science of Perception: A look at the Mayer, Davis, and Schoorman model, which identifies Ability, Benevolence, and Integrity as the three keys to being trusted. Practical Trust-Building: Five concrete steps leaders can take today to foster a culture of reliability and honesty. "Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason—even when it costs you." Tune in to learn how to move your team from "good" to "great" by mastering the most important ingredient in leadership. Also, I want to remind listeners about the release of my book, "The Four Stars of Leadership," a culmination of over three years of dedicated work, and I'm confident it will be an immensely interesting and helpful guide on your journey to becoming a better leader. Don't miss out on this essential resource—order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and share your thoughts with me! Sharpen your leadership skills: Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app to ensure you don't miss an episode dedicated to helping you become a better leader. To learn more about the Science of Leadership, visit https://www.fourstarleaders.com/ References Boies, K., Fiset, J., & Gill, H. (2015). Communication and trust are key: Unlocking the relationship between leadership and team performance and creativity. The Leadership Quarterly, 26(6), 1080–1094. Cloud, H. (2023). Trust: Knowing when to give it, when to withhold it, how to earn it, and how to fix it when it gets broken in life and business. Worthy Books. Collins, T. (2025). The four stars of leadership: Scientifically-derived principles from America’s highest-ranking leaders. Four Star Leaders Covey, S.M.R. (2008). The speed of trust: The one thing that changes everything. Free Press. Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. L. (2002). Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic findings and implications for research and practice. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 611–628. Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrative model of organizational trust. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 709–734.

In this episode of The Science of Leadership, host Tom Collins and co-host Justin Hamrick dismantle the myth that relationship-building is a "soft" or optional skill in professional environments. They argue that leadership is fundamentally relational, and while authority can be granted by a title, true influence is earned through the "space between people." The discussion explores the intentional effort required to build human connections that act as "self-healing concrete" during times of organizational stress. From the survival story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition to modern scientific theories like Leader-Member Exchange (LMX), this episode provides a roadmap for leaders who want to move beyond transactional management and toward true collective greatness. Key topics include: Intentionality Over Accident: Why relationships must be built with the same planning and effort as a civil engineering structure. The "Extra" Factor: Why team members only provide discretionary effort when they feel known, valued, and cared for by their leader. The Math of Leadership: How building strong relationships allows a leader to access a wider distribution of capability, perspective, and energy. High-Quality Connections: The science behind how even brief, positive relational moments can improve team cooperation, learning, and resilience. Humility and the Difficult Person: Strategies for connecting with challenging team members by recognizing their intrinsic human value. The Relationship Bank: Why strong leaders make emotional deposits long before they need to make "withdrawals" during a crisis. "You may get their job out of them, but you’ll never get the 'extra' without a relationship." Tune in to learn five practical steps you can take tomorrow to strengthen your team’s relational foundation. Also, I want to remind listeners about the release of my book, "The Four Stars of Leadership," a culmination of over three years of dedicated work, and I'm confident it will be an immensely interesting and helpful guide on your journey to becoming a better leader. Don't miss out on this essential resource—order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and share your thoughts with me! Sharpen your leadership skills: Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app to ensure you don't miss an episode dedicated to helping you become a better leader. To learn more about the Science of Leadership, visit https://www.fourstarleaders.com/ References Dutton, J. E., & Heaphy, E. D. (2003). The power of high-quality connections. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton, & R. E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive organizational scholarship (pp. 263–278). Berrett-Koehler. Lansing, A. (2014). Endurance: Shackleton’s incredible voyage. Basic Books. Martin, R., Guillaume, Y., Thomas, G., Lee, A., & Epitropaki, O. (2016). Leader-member exchange (LMX) and performance: A meta-analytic review. Personnel Psychology, 69(1), 67–121. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12100 Ng, T. W. H., & Sorensen, K. L. (2008). Toward a further understanding of the relationships between perceptions of support and work attitudes: A meta-analysis. Group & Organization Management, 33(3), 243–268. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601107313307 Stephens, J. P., Heaphy, E., & Dutton, J. E. (2011). High-quality connections. Center for Positive Organizations, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.