Trust – do you trust your team?
Trust is the bedrock upon which all effective teamwork is built. It creates a psychologically safe environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and being vulnerable.
91/92 with Leeds was a season during which we all had complete trust in one another—but it had to be earned, worked on and safeguarded.
In high-trust teams:
- Communication flows freely
- Conflicts are addressed constructively
- Innovation thrives
- Productivity/performance increases
- Employee engagement and satisfaction improve
Components of Trust in Teams
- Competence Trust: Belief in teammates’ abilities to do their jobs effectively.
- Interpersonal Trust: Confidence in teammates’ intentions and integrity.
- Institutional Trust: Faith in the organisation’s fairness and support.
There are many strategies to build and maintain trust, but I believe there is one component that rises above all others:
Lead by Example
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- Leaders must model trustworthy behaviour
- Be transparent about decisions and challenges
- Admit mistakes and show vulnerability
There are ways of measuring trust and addressing breaches of trust, which will still inevitably occur even in high-trust environments.
Building trust is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. It requires consistent effort and attention from all team members, especially leaders.
I played for several teams where the trust element was very high. I used to stand in the tunnel before a game, look around at my teammates, and think, “I trust these guys; there is no way we’re not winning this game!”
Trust—When a teammate makes a mistake, it is an opportunity to help and support them, not blame and criticise. I’m curious if some of my managers got that memo!
#TeamExcellence #Leadership #Teamwork #DreamTeam