Introducing the team Trust-o-Meter

The Thai women volleyball team recently became champions of Asia and the pride of the nation (at least for a while). The Bangkok Post interviewed Wilavan Apinyapong, team captain for seven years. She does not talk about hard training or the star players, but about trust, saying that her managing style is based on establishing trust among the players. "As a team leader, we have to make followers believe in us an that contributes to fellowship. When the foundation for trust is loosened, the followers may not accept your leadership."


Trust is also one of the key ingredients for a successful team Patrick Lencioni describes in his best-seller "The five dysfunctions of a team". In fact, he describes it as the foundation, the first condition that needs to be fulfilled if a team is to become successful. The four other conditions of a successful team are constructed on the basis of trust.

Why is trust so important in a team ? In a team with a solid trust level, team members feel free to ask questions, and even make mistakes, as they are not concerned they will be looked down upon or gossiped about by other team members (research by Amy Edmondson). And asking questions, looking for feedback, and making mistakes are the hallmarks of a team that learns. Learning so that tomorrow's challenges are addressed more effectively than today's. A team that is stuck in routine and does not try out new approaches is standing still. A team that is learning grows and enhances its capabilities to deal with future challenges.

Trust in a team should not justy be addressed in the "blindfolded-person-crosses-obstacle-course-guided-by-team-mates-vocal-instructions" during the annual team building exercise. Trust (or the lack thereof) happens in the everyday interactions and exchanges between team members.


How is your team doing ? How high is the trust level ? Send me an email and I will send a simple Trust-o-Meter test for your team: 3 minutes per person, Thai/English completely anonymous, for teams up to 15 people. A snapshot of the overall level of trust in your team, and the spread of the results, can give you a good indication of where your team stands, and how solid your team's foundation is.