In Patrick Lencioni’s famous book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, lack of trust is the #1 foundational problem on any team. It is so fundamental. If you don’t trust your colleagues, the team will accomplish a fraction of what it could otherwise.
One team member I am currently working with said the team would “take off” if trust in the team was higher; it’s not. What gets in the way of us trusting each other? How is trust so easily lost, and why is it hard to re-establish trust?
Worth the share
Imagine you have an impaired business relationship. For whatever reason, you and your colleague(s) feel a lack of trust in the team. Gallup’s research states that in 2023, only 21% of employees strongly agree that they trust their organization’s leadership.
What are a few clear action steps you can take to make a shift?
According to this article from Fast Company, here are some things you can implement today:
- Get Honest About Your Weaknesses—Much is written about the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. We are human; none of us is perfect. Alpha males and females are often incapable of vulnerability, but vulnerability builds trust and authentic connections. Genuinely caring about your team members helps, and empathy for others is essential, too.
- Delegate More – When we delegate work to team members, we demonstrate that we trust them. Micromanaging your team will elicit feelings that they are not good enough and sap the sense that you trust them. As the author says, “Trust is a two-way street”. Leaders must believe their team members can do the work and carry out the vision.
- Plan Before a Crisis—I love this suggestion and confess that, as a leader, I had not considered it. Creating a communication plan and being transparent about who needs to know what will give your team and others the sense that you have intentionally regarded them as stakeholders, which will elicit confidence and trust in your leadership.
Read 3 Things Should Do To Increase Trust by Julie Herbst.
#wisewords
Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.
– Stephen Covey
And Finally...
Take a few minutes and reflect on trust. Who in your circle do you trust? If you lead a team, what is the level of trust in that team?
You can use various assessments to assess your team’s performance. Recently, I used The Tablegroup’s Team Assessment Report, which provided a very clear snapshot of the group’s state, particularly its overall trust level. If you would like to learn more, let’s schedule a time to talk.
In the meantime, Spring is in the air. The sun rises earlier, and the days are sunny longer.
Have a great week,
Mary Jo