Practice: Analyzing Trust Within Your Team

In this activity, we attempt to analyze the current state of trust within our teams. By reflecting on various aspects of trust dynamics, we can identify strengths and areas needing improvement, guiding us toward building a stronger, more cohesive team.

This activity will help us to gain a better understanding of the trust dynamics within our teams by incorporating insights from all team members.

Part 1: Individual Reflection (10 minutes)

Reflect on your personal experiences and feelings regarding trust within the team. Consider instances that either strengthened or challenged trust.

Part 2: Team Survey (20 minutes)

Develop an anonymous survey with questions about trust within the team. Ensure it covers various aspects such as communication, respect for ideas, conflict handling, and supportiveness. Distribute the survey to all team members, encouraging honest and thoughtful responses.

Part 3: Review and Analyze Survey Results (20 minutes)

Collect and review the survey responses to identify common themes and areas of concern. Pay attention to discrepancies between your observations and the team's feedback.

Part 4: Group Discussion (Optional, 20 minutes)

If appropriate, conduct a team meeting to discuss the findings openly. This should be a safe space where members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Discuss action steps that could be taken to strengthen trust within the team.

This approach can help ensure that your assessment of trust within the team is well-rounded and inclusive of all members' viewpoints. Combining personal reflections, team feedback, and open discussions, you can identify the most effective strategies to foster a trustworthy and collaborative team environment.

Submit your reflection on this process below.