What do you do if your team is resistant to feedback and lacks trust?

The act of building trust in a team is helped by showing empathy/deep listening and integrity. Focus as a group on the value of integrity. Reflect together on what it means to "be your word" and honor your commitments. When people value integrity, it is easier to trust.

When your team seems resistant to feedback and lacks trust, it's time to lead with empathy and determination. Foster an environment where honesty and openness are not just encouraged but celebrated. Show your team that feedback is not about criticism, but about growth and improvement. Lead by example, demonstrating your own willingness to listen and learn. Cultivate trust through consistent actions that show your team they can rely on you and each other. Offer opportunities for team members to connect on a personal level, building bonds that transcend professional barriers. Together, let's transform resistance into resilience and build a team that thrives on trust and collaboration.

"Building trust is crucial in a world of constant change. It is essential to develop new skills, such as empathy, active listening, and an understanding of both verbal and non-verbal communication, in order to address the concerns of those under your leadership."

1. Changing team dynamics and building trust takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent in your efforts to foster a culture of open communication and trust within the team. Consistently reinforce desired behaviors and address any setbacks promptly 2. Offer regular feedback and recognition to team members for their contributions and achievements. Positive reinforcement can help build trust and motivate team members 3. Clearly define expectations for feedback within the team. Let team members know what kind of feedback is expected, how often it should be given, and how it will be used to improve performance and achieve goals 4. Demonstrate a willingness to receive feedback yourself and model constructive communication practices.

First find out why. Has trust within the workplace been shattered in the past? Is there a lack of communication or transparency? Have there been promises that weren't kept-even something as simple as: "Let's revisit this issue at another time" and that time hasn't come? A lack of trust erodes the morale, productivity and culture of a workplace. Instead of building something together, when trust is shattered everyone feels they're on their own. Get to the root of the trust issue and slowly build it back up from there. If their trust issues are due to experiences outside of work (as in their personal relationships) it most definitely impacts them at work as well.

By creating an open and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas, dialogue promotes transparency and honesty. It allows team members to share different perspectives, leading to more comprehensive problem-solving and decision-making processes. Moreover, dialogue facilitates effective communication, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts that may arise from miscommunication. It also encourages active listening, empathy, and respect for diverse viewpoints, strengthening relationships and promoting a sense of unity within the team.

"Regularly reflect and question yourself about what can be improved and corrected in order to develop new practices and discover new ways of doing things. Leadership, step by step, is all about how you accomplish your targets."

If your team lacks trust, then you lack leadership and are less able to transform processes and behaviors. In addition to dialogue and listening, you should also conduct a strong analysis of both the external and internal environments. Perhaps there is someone in your team who is causing others to trust less in your feedback. That should be identified and carefully analyzed through dialogue. Accurate analysis is essential for the decision-making process.

In my view, dealing with a team that is resistant to feedback and lacks trust can be challenging, but it's not insurmountable. Setting clear expectations is important. Offering training or workshops on giving and receiving feedback effectively can be suggested. Sometimes, team members may not know how to provide feedback constructively or may fear negative repercussions.