If a leader doesn't trust his/her staff there are many possible reasons. Each leads to a different solution. Dear Bob …In a recent Keep the Joint Running you advocated cutting meeting attendance in half by increasing the level of trust throughout the organization (“Unkindest cut,” .I agree with you on reducing attendance at meetings, and eliminating distrust. What do you do if the leader distrusts those in his charge? – DistrustedDear Distrusted …If a leader distrusts those in his charge, one or more of the following might be the case: The leader is new and still getting a handle on his/her direct reports. Solution: Give the new leader time to get a handle on everyone.Those in the leader’s charge are new, and the leader is still getting a handle on them. Same answer.Some of those in the leader’s charge are fundamentally untrustworthy. Solution: Replace them with more trustworthy managers and staff.All of those in the leader’s charge are fundamentally untrustworthy. Solution: Replace them with more trustworthy managers and staff, but first replace the leader with one who knows how to hire managers and staff who can be trusted.Those in the leader’s charge are still developing — capable of achieving the leader’s standards of excellence, but not there yet. Solution: They should all recognize the opportunity that’s in front of them, and learn how to achieve at a level beyond what they knew was possible.The leader is a micro-manager who defines “done right” as “done the way I would have done it.” Solution: Replace the leader with someone who knows how to lead.These last two can be very hard to tell apart. Also, regarding the alternatives that require replacing the leader, as the person raising the issue you’re on the wrong end of the relationship to drive this change.So instead, you’ll have to accept the redundancy of both you and the leader being there. The good news: The leader’s salary doesn’t come out of your budget.– Bob Technology Industry