The Foundation of High-Performing Teams
In the mission-driven world of nonprofits, building team trust isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for success. Organizations with high trust levels are 2.5 times more likely to exceed their goals. But what does it take to build and maintain that crucial foundation of trust in today’s complex environment?
1. Creating Psychological Safety
The concept of psychological safety, pioneered by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, forms the bedrock of team trust. Think of psychological safety as the organizational equivalent of home—a place where everyone feels secure enough to be themselves.
Essential Elements of Psychological Safety
- Freedom to voice concerns without fear
- Acceptance of different perspectives
- Permission to make and learn from mistakes
- Open dialogue about challenges
Practical Application: Implement “Learning from Failure Fridays.” Dedicate 15 minutes in team meetings where members share recent mistakes and what they learned. Start by sharing your own experience to model vulnerability.
2. Transparent Communication
Research shows that 74% of employees feel more engaged when their leaders communicate transparently.
“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” – Stephen R. Covey
Building Communication Trust
- Share information consistently
- Explain the “why” behind decisions
- Address concerns promptly
- Maintain open-door accessibility
Practical Application: Create a “Decision Dashboard” where you document and share the reasoning behind significant organizational decisions. Update it weekly and make it accessible to all team members.
3. Consistent Action-Word Alignment
Nothing erodes trust faster than misalignment between words and actions. Building team trust, like a garden, requires consistent tending through aligned behavior.
The ALIGN Framework for Trust
- Acknowledge commitments
- Listen actively
- Implement promises
- Give regular updates
- Navigate challenges together
Practical Application: Maintain a public “Promises Made, Promises Kept” tracker. Document commitments and their fulfillment status, updating it regularly with your team.
4. Empowerment Through Delegation
Research shows that employees who feel trusted to manage their work are 2.6 times more engaged.
Trust-Based Delegation
- Set clear expectations
- Provide necessary resources
- Allow autonomy in execution
- Offer support without micromanaging
Practical Application: For your next project, try the “Trust Triangle” approach: clearly define the what (goal) and why (purpose), but let your team determine the how (method).
Your Path to a High-Trust Team
Building team trust isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing journey that requires consistent attention and authentic leadership. Start with small steps that demonstrate your commitment to creating a trust-rich environment.
Ready to strengthen trust within your team? Begin by implementing one strategy from each section over the next month. Monitor your progress and adjust approaches as needed to build lasting team trust.
Need support in becoming an authentic leader?
Bridget Johnson has helped many people discover the best versions of themselves. Reach out today!
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