Building trust in our workplaces together.

Many of us would see building trust within a workplace environment as crucial for fostering collaboration, enhancing productivity, and achieving collective goals.

And...

That establishing trust in our complex, human environments isn't always smooth sailing!

Especially when setbacks or 'mistakes,' emerge in our experiences. In these natural workplace moments, the willingness to embrace vulnerability and disclose our shared humanness becomes essential.

Let's explore our human dynamics in trust-building.

Picture this...

?? A meticulous plan is interrupted due to an 'error.'

?? Emotions rise up in an instant - disappointment, shock, shame, frustration, overwhelm, other...

?? Why did this happen?

?? Who did or didn't do what they were 'meant' to do?

?? What does this mean for our performance?

?? For me and for the group?

?? What do we do now?

In these moments, our instinctive reaction can be to protect ourselves.

In many ways, a primal survival instinct can kick in as we may feel like we are in a state of 'threat.'

At the Heart of The Matter of these workplace experiences lies something deeper than the task itself. It transcends the project plan and the assignment of responsibilities. Here are some shared reflections from individuals and teams I've worked with regarding what so-called 'mistakes/errors' has brought up for them as human beings living the experience:

• Shame or Guilt: When 'mistakes' occur, it's natural for individuals to experience a sense of shame or inadequacy. This innate response is often driven by wanting to protect ourselves and maintaining a positive perception of ourselves in the eyes of others and ourselves.

• Fear of Punishment: The fear of repercussions can deter individuals from openly admitting 'mistakes' or sharing vulnerabilities. The belief that acknowledging our 'mistakes' will lead to punishment or judgment creates a barrier to honest communication and authentic interactions.

• Resistance to Mistakes: There's a deep conditioning for many of us that 'mistakes' equate to 'failure.' This can undermine our confidence in putting ourselves out there when trying new things and can hinder personal and professional growth. This mindset overlooks the valuable lessons and insights that can emerge from setbacks and missed expectations.

How might we co-create environments that live in alignment with trust?

At the heart of trust-building lies the courage to be vulnerable, to peel back the layers of self-protection and connect with our authentic selves - even when those around us don't seem to be doing so.

It's about finding the strength to say, "I made a mistake," without the weight of shame dragging us down. It's a human practice! There is no prescriptive way to do it. Little courageous steps can make a big difference - and if we don't give something new a go, we will continue to experience the same results. Which can include feeling shame and guilt within ourselves.

Here are some insights for shared pondering:

• Cultivate Vulnerability: Being willing to own and share our own vulnerable thoughts and feelings as we make sense of our experience can be very helpful for ourselves and the group. Trust flourishes in environments where individuals feel safe to express vulnerability and acknowledge their imperfections. We are ALL human! While leaders play a pivotal role in fostering a culture that values openness and encourages genuine self-disclosure, we can ALL step in and behave in ways that align with our values. In embracing our own vulnerability, we invite others to do the same, co-creating an atmosphere of compassion, understanding, and genuine connection.

• Embrace Learning Moments: Instead of viewing 'mistakes' as liabilities, we can reframe them as natural and important opportunities for growth and learning. By encouraging a mindset that welcomes experimentation, innovation, and continuous improvement, we can appreciate so-called 'setbacks,' as part of the natural cycle of growth.

• Normalize Imperfection: By challenging the notion of perfectionism (within ourselves and within the team) we can embrace the reality that 'errors' are an inherent part of the human experience. When things don't quite go to plan, we can tap into invaluable insight and opportunities for shared expansion to enable greater individual and team performance. By normalizing imperfection, individuals are more likely to take calculated risks, share feedback constructively, and collaborate more effectively.

• Lead by Example: Leaders set the tone for trust-building within an organization. By role-modeling through our own humanness, compassion, accountability, and resilience during challenges, we can inspire others to do the same. Walking-the-talk shows the way for others to feel empowered to take ownership of their actions and contribute meaningfully to shared objectives.

• Embrace the Elephant In The Meeting Room: Noticing the elephant in the meeting room is key. These are the moments where we sense there is something not being spoken about...?They are an indicator that there is more to this shared experience than what is currently being discussed. Enabling space for team members to voice their concerns, share ideas, and express how they are feeling without fear of retribution or judgment is essential to understanding the full story. i.e. how did the 'mistake' emerge in ourselves, our group dynamics, processes, systems and what does it now mean for next steps? Building trust requires creating a supportive environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and heard. How we individually and collectively explore awkward elephant in the meeting room moments is key to building trust.

Our workplace experiences are filled with all that being human holds. Clarity, confusion, plans working, unexpected obstacles and deviations!

Building trust in the workplace is an individual and collective daily, unfolding human journey that requires vulnerability, connection, and a willingness to embrace growth. By reframing our so-called 'mistakes' as opportunities for learning and holding the human space together when our own moments of shame and fear arise, we can co-create trust and live the expansive potential of our teams together.

May you have a magical workday, every day!

Vee ????

My intention is to be part of co-creating a corporate paradigm where we all share our unique gifts with each other to co-create an abundant world for all. ??

If you'd like to explore more about coaching and support for individual or team empowerment, contact me via LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/team-collaboration-transformation-melbourne/ or Email:[email protected] or Phone: + 61 402 253 966

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@veehaslam