#53 - Why TRUST is stronger than cement!
19 Mar 25
If I were to be asked for the one singular magic ingredient that separates great teams from the rest, it would always be 'TRUST'.
Trust is the very cement that bonds a team together so that in times of great stress or adversity, they will always come out on top.
A team without trust is weak, lacks resilience and robustness and will consist of individuals who will act only in their self-interests, not for the benefit of the 'collective'.
It takes time to build. But expending effort here will set any organisation or team up for success in the future.
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#53 - Why TRUST is stronger than cement!
What?
As I reach my late 50s, I find that I am becoming more reflective as a result. This is a good thing, and not just me admitting that the 'roughy toughy' sailor of old is becoming too sentimental! (At least that is what I tell myself!)
Looking back over any career, there is always a tendency to look back through rose-coloured spectacles. I am no exception in that regard.
But, more generally, when I reflect on my 33 year military career there is one aspect which underpins the whole experience and which made me commit to such a lengthy career with the same employer.
And that aspect is 'TRUST', but what is it?
Trust is defined as:
'...the firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.'
Over the years I have found that the existence (or absence) of this singular 'thing' can make the difference between success or failure.
Why?
It is all wrapped up in the the belief that another person (or entity) will do what is expected.
It brings with it a willingness for one party (the trustor) to become vulnerable to another party (the trustee), on the presumption that the trustee will act in ways that benefit the trustor.
In a military environment trust exists in many forms:
- Trust in people to always do the right thing,
- Trust in people to be able to do their job and be competent,
- Trust in people to always 'have your back',
- Trust in the training that has been provided to you and which has been iteratively developed over time, and based on a multitude of different operational situations,
- Trust in the equipment that you use and that it has been designed to exacting standards such that it performs to the design intent in a hazardous situation, or when you really need it to,
- Trust in the organisation to look after you and, as long as your motives are in the interests of the organisation and its people, and are not for personal gain, to support you and back you up when required.
The thing about trust is that, like a reputation, it is hard won and easily lost.
If you work for an organisation or with people that do not satisfy the main tenets of trust, then that it a very unsavoury place to be. People will act in their own self-interests rather than for the mutual benefit of the whole.
Trust is the very cement that bonds all aspects of a team and organisation together. If the cement mixture is weak, inconsistent, or even non-existent then the building blocks are easily toppled when presented with the slightest challenge.
How?
So how can a culture of trust be developed and fostered throughout an organisation or team?
Here are some tips:
- Deliver on commitments - Do what you say you are going to do. Reliability fosters trust. When leaders and team members consistently follow through on their promises, trust strengthens.
- Encourage vulnerability and psychological safety - Create an environment where people feel safe to express ideas, admit mistakes, and ask for help without fear of punishment or ridicule.
- Recognise and appreciate contributions - Acknowledging efforts and achievements reinforces a sense of value and trust. Personalised recognition, whether private or public, enhances morale and commitment.
- Foster collaboration and teamwork - Encourage collective problem-solving and shared goals. When teams work together effectively, trust naturally develops through mutual support and accountability.
- Show empathy and support well-being - Demonstrate genuine care for team members’ professional and personal well-being. Understanding individual challenges and offering support strengthens trust. In the Navy we called this 'look after your oppo' (NB: 'oppo' means opposite number).
- Maintain fairness and consistency - Trust erodes when people perceive favoritism or bias. Set clear expectations, apply rules fairly, and treat everyone with equal respect.
- Encourage feedback and act on it - Create a culture of continuous improvement by seeking input from team members and taking meaningful action based on their suggestions.
- Develop competence and confidence - Trust is reinforced when people feel confident in their leader’s and peers’ abilities. Encourage professional development, training, and upskilling to build expertise.
Remember that if trust exists in a team, then the team becomes resilient and robust and can deal with any challenge that is thrown at it.
Any absence of trust will undermine all other efforts that you may be trying to implement!
In Summary
I hope that you enjoyed reading this newsletter and that it has given you food for thought.
Great teams are built on trust. The very knowledge that an organisation, leader or individual will behave in a certain way is a force multiplier like no other.
Trust takes time to build. But when it is well-developed and maintained it will take your team from 'good to great!'
Have a great week!
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