Trust in professional relationships is often discussed as if it were instinctive, something you either have or you do not. But trust is rarely automatic. It is shaped gradually, especially in moments that test us. In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast, Julia speaks with Anna Konstantinovna “Nyuta” Federmesser — Russian humanitarian worker, founder of the Vera Foundation and the Lighthouse Children’s Oncology Foundation, and an advocate for the rights of oncology patients. For years, she has worked to advance the recognition and development of palliative care in Russia, arguing for proper education, systemic support, and legitimacy in this field. Their conversation does not treat trust as a leadership slogan. Instead, it explores trust as something that shapes how we show up, how we decide, and how we carry responsibility in moments that test us.
Alignment Before Performance
At one point, Nyuta speaks about not having “two dregs” — not having a hidden layer beneath the visible one. What she feels, what she says, and what she does are closely connected. Trust in professional relationships often grows in the absence of contradiction. When people experience consistency over time, they stop spending energy trying to interpret what sits beneath the surface. Transparent leadership practices are less about disclosure and more about coherence. Building trust at work may begin with noticing small gaps: where intention and action drift apart, where values are spoken but not fully practised. Alignment does not need to be dramatic. It needs to be steady.
Combining Strength and Softness
During the conversation, Nyuta describes being warm and expressive in some contexts, and firm in others. Julia recognises something similar in her own experience of leading. It raises a quiet question: does shifting tone weaken trust? Perhaps not. Authentic leadership in the workplace does not require one consistent style. It requires consistency of purpose. When values remain stable, variation in expression does not create confusion. It reflects responsiveness. In professional relationships, people are often less concerned with tone than with whether the underlying intention feels reliable.
Letting Doubt Be Spoken
In one story, Nyuta recalls telling someone directly that she did not believe them, and asking them to help her trust . It is an unusual approach, but it reveals something important. Trust-building leadership behaviours are not built on silent assumption. They are built on conversation. Doubt, when unspoken, can create distance. When expressed respectfully, it can clarify expectations. How to earn trust as a leader may involve being willing to name uncertainty without accusation. Trust in professional relationships deepens when questions are allowed to surface early rather than later.
Responsibility as Stability
Another theme that runs through the episode is accountability. Nyuta speaks about telling her team when she does not know what the right decision is. At the same time, she makes clear that responsibility rests with her. Leading with vulnerability in this way does not remove authority. It reframes it. When uncertainty is acknowledged openly, teams often feel included rather than unsettled. When responsibility is clearly held, they feel protected. Building trust at work may involve absorbing consequences without defensiveness. Reliability in uncertain moments can strengthen professional relationships more than confidence alone.
Staying Attentive to Certainty
Later in the conversation, Nyuta reflects on a moment where she believed she was being thoughtful, but was told she was being arrogant . She had assumed she knew what someone else needed. The story lingers because it reveals how easily effectiveness can slide into assumption. Trust in professional relationships can weaken when leaders begin to equate speed with insight. Authentic leadership in the workplace may require ongoing self-examination. Not every decisive act is presumption. But some are. The difference often lies in whether curiosity remains present.
What This Episode Leaves You With
This conversation does not present trust as a fixed trait. Instead, it leaves you with questions that stay beyond the episode:
- Where might alignment need attention?
- Where is doubt being avoided rather than addressed?
- Where could clearer ownership create steadiness for others?
- Where might certainty benefit from reflection?
About the Author
Kavya Misra is a writer and producer with a background in adfilms and digital content management. Her master’s in English literature forms the foundation for all her creative and corporate projects. In addition to this, Kavya has an extensive background in theatre. She has written and produced plays. She has also performed at festivals like Bharat Rang Mahotsav by National School of Drama and International Theatre Festival of Kerala. Her diverse experience across theatre, media and digital content reflects her passion for storytelling and production.
