We have all heard about, if not experienced, the age-old “Trust Fall” activity. One partner stands facing away from the other, and then the first partner falls back, trusting (hoping) that the second partner will catch them.
Personal view – I am not sure of the effectiveness of high-adrenaline team exercises. Absolutely trust plays a role in this team-building activity, but it takes a back seat to testing your courage. As a leader, I would be more focused on someone getting hurt rather than the effectiveness of the team building activity!
Whatever your thoughts are on the Trust Fall, the one thing experts agree on is that trust in a team is crucial to its success and effectiveness.
“On a team, trust is all about vulnerability, which is difficult for most people.” Patrick Lencioni
The very foundation of an impactful team has to be built upon trust. Lack of trust in a team creates fear of conflict, whereas trust creates a sense of safety. When a collective team trusts each other and can lean into the discomfort of vulnerability, they create an opening for healthy conflict. The results of healthy conflict and open and honest discussion allows everyone to be heard, producing better decision-making and commitment of the entire team.
Many teams flounder once they have put in the hard work getting to a place of trust amongst each other. The team is committed to moving forward; everyone feels good about their decisions – but nothing happens. Why? Because the team walked away without making anyone accountable to move the decision forward. Minimal results are created when no one is held accountable – no one is driving the decision or task.
A leader who puts in the work and builds a healthy team based in trust, vulnerability, commitment, and accountability creates one composed of empowered individuals. The results produced from this team of individually aligned contributors will be staggering. I know this for a fact, as I was once a part of a team like this, and we accomplished what others thought impossible.
How healthy is your team? Let me help you find out.
Tamara Knapp Advisory LLC
Based in Novi, Michigan
Serving both startups and established clients.
Office: (248) 301-9699
Email: letsgo@tamaraknappadvisory.com
