Leaders should develop the trust and confidence of their team that they will:

• A. Exercise good judgment
• B. Remain calm
• C. Make the right decisions when it matters most
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Trust from a team grows when a leader consistently shows multiple reliable behaviors: exercising good judgment, remaining calm under pressure, and making the right decisions when it matters most. Good judgment demonstrates that you can evaluate options and choose wisely. Remaining calm keeps the team focused, prevents panic, and maintains clear communication. Making the right decisions when the stakes are high shows you can own the outcome and safeguard the mission. When a leader exhibits all three, the team gains confidence that leadership will guide them effectively through critical moments. In Extreme Ownership terms, owning the outcome means proving these capabilities under pressure, so the combined display is what earns true trust. If any one trait is missing, trust can be compromised because the leader’s reliability isn’t complete.