Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a vast majority of companies have adapted their work methods to enable remote work. The construction industry, being tied to a physical workplace, has seen leaders and managers, however, having the opportunity to accompany this transition to remote work. Trust is a central factor in a professionally sustainable relationship between leaders and employees, and thus, the purpose of this study is to examine how remote leadership affects trust within the construction industry. Trust is built differently between physical workplaces and remote ones, so it is important for leaders to understand these differences to achieve success.

The study's results indicate that remote leadership is best suited after a relationship has been established through physical meetings. Initially meeting face-to-face before continuing the relationship remotely is important for building a shared trust that facilitates communication and understanding between parties. Effective communication is a vital tool for sustainable remote work. The study reveals that poor communication is a significant contributing factor to a decrease in quality and an increase in conflicts in the construction industry since the start of the pandemic, coinciding with a significant increase in remote work. Therefore, it is important for leaders to have a strong trust in their employees and to communicate in a structured and clear manner.