The Trust Quadrant
A tool for thinking clearly about who you are releasing and who you are holding back
In the last post, we explored why releasing others into leadership is an act of faith, not just strategy. But what happens when you want to take a step of release and you are not sure who is ready, or how much you really trust them?
It is easy to tell ourselves we are “waiting for the right time” or “just being wise” when it comes to handing things over. But sometimes, we are holding people back for reasons we have never actually examined.
The Trust Quadrant is a simple tool to help you pause, reflect, and be honest with yourself and with God about what is really going on.
Step 1: Draw the grid
Grab a piece of paper and sketch a simple 2x2 grid.
Label the horizontal axis readiness and the vertical axis trust.
Step 2: Plot 2–3 people from your ministry context
These could be students, team members, or volunteers, anyone who comes to mind as you think about releasing others into leadership.
For each person, ask yourself:
- How ready do I actually think they are?
- How much do I actually trust them?
Plot them honestly, not where you think they should be, but where you instinctively place them right now.
Step 3: Reflect on what you see
Now ask yourself:
- What patterns am I noticing?
- Am I under-trusting people who are actually quite ready?
- Do I struggle more with trusting others, or with recognising readiness?
- What assumptions or fears might be shaping how I see these people?
- Am I expecting them to lead like me?
- Have I based this on past disappointments or specific personality traits?
- Am I allowing space for growth, or writing someone off too early?
- Where is God nudging me to take a trust step?
Reflection and Prayer
Set aside a few minutes with God to bring each person you have plotted before him. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight where he is inviting you to release someone into more leadership, and to give you the courage to take that step.
Read Luke 10 again, picturing the moment Jesus sent the seventy-two.
Pray:
“Lord, teach me to release others like you do, trusting that you will be with them in the going.”
