How can you build trust with colleagues in a risk-taking culture?

There is a hair-breadth difference between stupidity and courage. Afterward, people are rewarded and recognized if risk-taking was successful. If it was a failure, people gossip about it. Just do it, sounds like the right approach!

In my 25 years of service in the US Army Special Forces and as an entrepreneur, I've learned that building trust in a risk-taking culture is paramount. It's about clear communication, leading by example, and embracing learning from failures. Inclusive decision-making, personalized coaching, and celebrating successes are critical. Adaptability and empowerment round out the essentials. Trust is the bedrock of success in any endeavor, especially in a culture that values innovation and experimentation.

I've learnt that we continue to take risks when we recover from our falls. If we don't recover and learn from how and where we fell, we become fearful and take fewer risks. For this reason, I would encourage the team to acknowledge mistakes. Thereafter, I would encourage the team to acknowledge how far they have grown. To look back at who they were and what their capacity was at the beginning, and what they have achieved since. This will encourage them to keep growing because they are now aware of their growth (and contribution to the company). And it will also encourage them to use mistakes to their advantage. They will know and understand that they are capable of making mistakes and yet still able to achieve great things.

Authenticity is often hampered by socio-cultural norms that require us to be "politically" correct. Talking the truth is merely a theoretical concept as talking "straight" and to the point is often judged as rude and non-sensitive. It takes courage to be truthful, open and transparent.

Building trust with colleagues in a risk-taking culture requires a combination of clear communication, reliability, and mutual respect. Here are some of my personal insights on how to foster this trust: 1. Open Communication: Discuss risks, expectations, and potential outcomes clearly. 2. Be Reliable: Deliver on promises and maintain consistency in actions. 3. Promote Accountability: Own up to mistakes and work towards solutions. 4. Practice Empathy: Understand and respect differing perspectives and challenges. Trust is built through consistent actions over time. By consistently demonstrating these attributes, you can foster a culture where people feel safe taking risks because they know they're supported and understood.

Lead by example. True leaders show instead of “tell”. In order to earn trust we must be worth trusting. The other example that must be set, is the example of owning our own mistakes. By owning our setbacks, it gives our best people permission to take risks without fear of repercussions for failure.