The foundation of effective leadership

As a leader, building trust within your team is non-negotiable. Trust is the foundation of collaboration, effective communication, and strong performance. It’s the magic that fills in the gaps and amplifies the efforts of thriving teams.  Patrick Lencioni's The Five Dysfunctions of a Team outlines how a lack of trust can significantly hinder a team's ability to achieve success. 

But how do you know if trust is truly thriving within your team?

Here are three key places to help you assess the level of trust you have with your team:

1. Open Communication When trust is present, team members feel comfortable sharing honest feedback, even when it’s critical. They don’t hold back on difficult conversations or avoid voicing concerns. Are your team members sharing openly with each other? If the answer is yes, you’ve likely cultivated an environment of trust. If not, it might be time to create more opportunities for candid discussions and active listening.

2. Healthy Conflict Resolution In a team built on trust, disagreements are seen as opportunities for growth, not personal attacks. Conflict is resolved constructively, allowing different perspectives to emerge and push the team forward. Does your team engage in healthy debates that lead to solutions? If your team shies away from conflict, they might be avoiding necessary conversations, which could indicate trust gaps.

3. Accountability and Support Trust allows team members to hold each other accountable without fear of backlash. A trusting team supports each other’s growth and success. Are your team members holding each other accountable for results? If not, it could signal an absence of trust or a fear of conflict, both of which can undermine long-term success.

Quick Check-in: If you’re unsure whether trust is solid in your team, consider these questions:

• Do team members speak up without fear of judgment?

• Is constructive conflict welcomed as a growth opportunity?

• Are they holding each other accountable to high standards?

If you find yourself unsure, we can have a conversation about addressing these dynamics. Building trust takes intentional effort, but the rewards are well worth it.

Schedule a call

Yes, seriously…we can have a one-time coaching call on the house. It’s just you and me, in a safe, trusted space, accelerating your path through the challenges you face. 

Halle

PS:

1. For daily support and tidbits follow me over on Insta! 

2.  Time for a new journal? Pick up a new copy of my Know Thyself Journal for daily support towards your most important intentions for the next 90 days.

3.  Are you into individual assessments? Here is a link to take a free Core Values Assessment (CVI). It only takes 10 minutes and measures your innate, unchanging nature. Take it yourself and feel free to forward to a friend, too.