Trust in a military context: What contributes to trust in superior and subordinate leaders?

Abstract

The aim was to explore which components military personnel in peacekeeping operations perceive as contributing to trust in their superior and subordinate leaders during international or national operations or exercises. Data were collected among 591 military officers and cadets from Norway and Sweden using a questionnaire with open-ended questions. Two superior categories emerged: Individual-Related Characteristics and Communication- and Relationship-Related Characteristics. The former is made up of the higher-level categories Personal attributes and Experience and competence. The latter is derived from the higher-level categories Consideration and inspiration and Effective communication. In turn, all higher-level categories are underpinned by a number of subcategories (13 altogether). When comparing trust in superior leaders with trust in subordinate leaders, the results show that trust in superiors is characterised to a greater extent by Communication- and Relationship-related characteristics and also by Experience and professional knowledge. Trust in subordinate leaders is characterised to a greater extent by Personal attributes and Management competence.

Keywords:

• trust
• military
• character-based trust
• relationship-based trust
• leadership

Notes on contributors

Maria Fors Brandebo (MA, Karlstad University, Sweden) is a research assistant at the Department of Security, Strategy and Leadership, Swedish National Defence College, and a doctoral student in psychology at Karlstad University, Sweden. She has published articles, book chapters and research reports within the field of psychology and leadership, motivation, trust and organisation.

Misa Sjöberg, (Ph.D., Örebro University, Sweden) is a psychologist and a researcher at the Department of Security, Strategy and Leadership at the Swedish National Defence College. She has published articles, book chapters and research reports within the field of psychology and leadership, decision making and stress.

Gerry Larsson (Ph.D., Gothenburg University, Sweden) is a licensed psychologist and professor of leadership psychology at the Swedish National Defence College. During the period 2004–2009 he also served as Vice President of the college. He has published over 125 journal articles, 75 books or chapters in books, and more than 500 research reports.

Jarle Eid (Ph.D., University of Bergen, Norway) is a licensed psychologist and professor of psychology. He is currently dean of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen. He has published numerous articles, books, book chapters, and research reports at the University of Bergen and in the Norwegian Defence dealing with leadership, stress, safety, situation awareness, and brief psychological interventions.

Olav Kjellevold Olsen (Ph.D., University of Bergen, Norway) is a naval officer and lecturer at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, where he also leads the research group of operational leadership. He has published articles and book chapters within the field of leadership, ethics, and sleep deprivation.