How to Build Great Teams: It Starts with Trust

Building great teams starts with trust, and when trust is present, everything else—like productivity, innovation, and loyalty—naturally follows. In this blog, we explore three powerful ways to foster trust within your team: listening fully, delegating with purpose, and giving honest feedback. By cultivating a foundation of trust, you’ll not only improve team performance but also create a stronger, more successful organization.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

1/16/20242 min read

I’m often asked, How do you build great teams? The answer is simple: trust. Building great teams always begins with trust. When trust is present, everything else—output, morale, productivity, innovation, loyalty, and even profits—falls into place.

Why Trust Matters

In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni states that trust is the foundation of any high-performing, healthy team.

But how do you build trust? It’s not about team-building exercises or forced social events. At its core, building trust means showing that you authentically care about the people you lead. Below are three simple but powerful ways to demonstrate that care and foster trust within your team.

1. Listen Fully

Listening isn’t a passive activity—it’s a full-contact sport. When someone on your team is talking to you, put down your phone, step away from your computer, and give them your undivided attention. Show that you’re engaged by asking follow-up questions, rephrasing their points for clarity, and revisiting the conversation later to show you’re still thinking about it.

Multitasking while someone is speaking doesn’t show that you care—it shows the opposite. Take the time to stop and truly listen. Active listening sends the message that their input matters.

2. Delegate with Purpose

Delegation is one of the most powerful ways to show you trust and care for your team. Yes, it takes time to explain a task, answer questions, and allow someone to learn. And, yes, they may not do it exactly as you would. But that’s the point—delegating tells your team members you believe in their abilities and want them to grow.

Avoid falling into the trap of thinking, I’ll just do it myself. Letting go of control shows that you trust your team to handle important tasks, sending a strong message that you value them and their contributions.

3. Give Honest Feedback

One of the most selfless things you can do as a leader is provide real-time feedback. It might be uncomfortable at times, but telling the truth, especially when it’s hard, is crucial. A recent survey showed that 73% of Gen Z employees will leave a job if they don’t receive regular feedback, highlighting its importance.

When you give honest feedback, you help your team understand your expectations and grow professionally. It’s not about being harsh; it’s about showing you care enough to help them improve.

Great Teams = Great Organizations