Building Team Trust: Shortcuts, The 5-Minute Trust Test, and a Surprise

Let's face it: Trust is the fundament of any good relationship. Happiness and peace of mind at home. Success at work. Foundation for big adventures?(Would you climb a difficult wall with a partner you don't trust? I wouldn't!).?

→ Free 5-minute self-assessment on the level of trust in your organization and your leadership below.

Building trust can be a long and sometimes nerve-wracking journey with baby steps, failed expectations, and pitfalls on the way. Armed with insights from top researchers Brené Brown and Patrick Lencioni, we'll equip you with the ropes and harness you need to scale the heights of trust in your workplace.?

Let's begin this exciting ascent!

Why is trust so important, anyway?

Because: it allows you to play at your highest level. Because it allows your team to be better than each individual. And because: it allows you to have fun in the process.?

Imagine you are trying a difficult rock climb and you have a partner that you don't trust to catch your fall. Could you ever go to your limit? Could you ever try something daring, something big, something to remember?

It's the same in organizations. Trusting teams win because they can dare. Because they can focus on doing their part instead of controlling others. And they have more fun doing so.?

It's no wonder "Building Trust" is often the # 1 item on the wishlist of customers that come to us for team development.??

The Foundation of Trust: Vulnerability

Patrick Lencioni's groundbreaking work in "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" provides invaluable insights into the role and significance for (leadership) teams. Here's a summary:

Trust is?the?foundational element upon which all other aspects of a high-performing team are built.

Without trust, teams have a hard time collaborating, communicating openly, and embracing healthy conflict. This often leads to eeeendless and tiring discussions, no decisions, and topics you thought you already decided are being warmed up again for the next meeting. Sounds familiar?

So:

1. Trust is not only about being vulnerable or showing weakness; it's about being comfortable and confident enough to admit mistakes, seek help, and offer support.
2. Once you have established trust, your team members will feel safe to express their ideas without fear of judgment, enabling robust discussions and innovative solutions.?
3. This will create an environment that fosters genuine camaraderie, shared goals, and an unshakable commitment to collective success.?

Your Free 5-Minute Trust-Test

In this self-assessment, there are two columns: one for yourself as a leader, and one for your team.

Please rate every question below from 1 – 10.?

Reflect on:?

• What is working well already?
• What would you like to improve?
• Would you like some help with that?

Dare this:?why don't you take the self-assessment to your team and have everyone fill it out anonymously? What comes up, when you discuss the results?

Trust, Love, and a bit of Oxytocin

Now, for our surprising ending: did you know that building trust triggers a hormone called oxytocin in our brains? Oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone," is released during moments of connection and trust.

So, when you're building trust in your organization or the next team event, you're not only fostering collaboration but also enjoying a natural chemical boost of bonding!?

Why not go one day outdoors on a mission to build trust with your team on a challenging hike, some ice bathing, or even a paragliding adventure? Equipped with good questions, and on a mission to build trust, you may just transform your business partnership into a true friendship.?

Climb your peaks,?

Oliver