That Awkward Moment When…You Realize You Need to Rebuild Trust

Have you ever had a work relationship that was so broken you thought you’d never be able to fix it?

Early in my career, I found myself in that exact situation. A co-worker confronted me and said I had treated her unfairly. I was blindsided. I don’t remember every detail of what led up to that moment—probably because I was too busy being a brand-new professional who thought she was doing everything right. (Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.)

I do remember the feeling—confusion, defensiveness, and then… silence. I didn’t know what to say because I genuinely didn’t realize she felt that way. But at that moment, I had a choice: brush it off or take it seriously and try to make it right.

Looking back, I’m grateful I chose the second path. Because trust, once broken, can be rebuilt—with a little humility (and a lot of follow-through).

Step 1: Acknowledge the Damage

The first step is the hardest: Own what happened. No deflecting. No justifying. Just take responsibility for the hurt, even if it was unintentional. In my case, I started by saying, “I didn’t realize you felt that way, but I hear you. And I’m sorry.”

It was uncomfortable. But you know what’s more uncomfortable? Avoiding someone in the breakroom for the next six months.

Step 2: Communicate Openly

This doesn’t mean spilling your life story. It means being transparent about what happened and what you’re doing to fix it. Real trust is built on real conversations, even the awkward ones.

Think of it like clearing out a junk drawer: messy at first, but worth it in the end.

Step 3: Be Consistent

This is where the real work happens. Trust isn’t a one-and-done gesture. It’s a pattern. Show up. Follow through. Be the kind of person people can count on—not just once, but over and over.

Yes, it takes time. No, you don’t get a certificate. But you might get something better: a relationship that’s stronger than it was before.

Broken trust doesn’t have to be the end of the story. It can be the beginning of a better one.

What’s one step you can take today to repair a relationship that matters?