Team essential 1: TRUST

"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships."

Trust is highly underrated in companies these days, I am surprised to see how easily distrust can reside in operational teams nowadays. Team members hold on to often superficial perceptions they have about people and “tag” them as “oh that is how he/she IS” instead of really digging deeper to know their colleague and see and speak about what drives the other person’s behaviour. And no, I am not even talking about asking personal details… 

Be aware that in times of crisis, trust becomes the bedrock that holds a team together. When team members feel psychologically safe, they’re empowered to share bold ideas, admit mistakes, and voice concerns without fear of backlash. This environment of safety fosters creativity and innovation, even under pressure. 

Trust is not just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for navigating uncertainty and maintaining momentum. Without it, fear, frustration and silence can cripple a team’s ability to respond effectively. In the heat of a crisis, a team that trusts each other is a team that can overcome any challenge.

Reflective Questions: 

- Does your team feel safe enough to speak up and take risks when the pressure is on? 

- Do you take time to allow and explore emotions that might block the way to take a bold factual rational way forward?