"Trust is something you earn over time with people. I will lead by example and be transparent in my communications. Trust happens when people deliver on doing what they say they will do. I take the approach of underpromising and over-delivering to accelerate the trust process. With strong trust, teams can accomplish great things together."

The interviewer wants to understand your approach to building relationships and establishing credibility in your new role. An academic dean needs to have the trust and support of their colleagues to effectively lead and promote a positive and collaborative working environment. You may want to highlight your past experiences in building relationships and fostering trust with colleagues and your commitment to open communication and transparency in your leadership style.

"Building trust with my faculty and coworkers takes time and effort. First and foremost, I will be transparent and communicative with the people I work with. I will be open about my goals and values and keep my colleagues informed about decisions and initiatives that affect them. Additionally, I feel it's important to be approachable and collaborative and seek input and feedback from others whenever possible. By being responsive to the needs and concerns of my team, I can build a culture of trust and respect that will help me achieve my academic goals and objectives. Finally, it's important to lead by example and to model the behavior I want to see in others. By demonstrating a commitment to excellence, integrity, and professionalism, I can earn the respect and admiration of my colleagues and establish myself as a trusted leader in my field."