In the context of increasing global interconnectedness and evolving expectations toward leadership, leadership in international and volunteer-based student organizations presents unique challenges and opportunities. Drawing from my experience as President of the European Federation of Psychology Students' Associations (EFPSA), I will present my personal insight how trust can be intentionally cultivated in cross-cultural, remote, and non-hierarchical teams as the foundation of responsible and empowering leadership.
While my leadership responsibilities included strategic planning, public representation, and team coordination, my presidency was deeply shaped by unexpected personal challenges that made me reflect on what it means to lead in times of personal vulnerability. These events underscored a fundamental truth: effective leadership is not about being everywhere or doing everything. It is about building a resilient team that can operate with autonomy, mutual support, and shared responsibility—even in your absence.
This presentation brings ten practical strategies for building trust and shared ownership within diverse student teams. Particular attention will be paid to the efficient communication, recognizing contributions publicly, balance between leadership and followership, and the importance of creating opportunities for others—core practices aligned with democratic values and participative leadership.
In line with the congress theme, this talk proposes a new direction for applied leadership psychology—one that sees vulnerability not as weakness but as a starting point for authentic connection and distributed leadership. By leading through trust and example, we create environments where individuals are empowered, responsibility is shared, and collaboration becomes truly meaningful.
I invite attendees to reflect on their own leadership roles: How do you create trust in the absence of hierarchy that can be a shared value?