Beyond Team Building: How to Build Trust That Lasts on Your Team

Team building gets a bad rap — and sometimes, for good reason. Too often, it’s reduced to trust falls, ropes courses, or forced fun that leaves people feeling awkward rather than truly connected.

But here’s the truth: trust isn’t built in a single day or through a single activity. Trust is the foundation of every effective team, and it needs to be woven into your daily operations — not just reserved for off-sites.

At Initiatives in Action, we believe in the power of vulnerability-based trust — the kind where team members feel safe enough to admit mistakes, ask for help, and challenge each other directly, without fear.

When trust of this kind exists:

• Friction becomes productive rather than personal.

• Commitments stick because everyone has been heard.

• Accountability flows naturally rather than feeling punitive.

• Results improve because the team is rowing in the same direction.

So, how do you start building trust that lasts?

One practical first step is creating space for your team to share personal histories or experiences. This could be as simple as a guided exercise where each person answers questions like:

• What was a challenge you overcame early in your career?

• Who has been a major influence in your growth?

• What do you need from this team to feel fully supported?

These seemingly simple moments build understanding and empathy — and over time, they lay the groundwork for stronger, more resilient trust.

Recommended Reading: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

If you want to go deeper, I highly recommend The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. This book has been a cornerstone in my work helping teams build real, operational trust. It explores how vulnerability-based trust underpins every other behavior — conflict, commitment, accountability, and results — and provides a clear, practical framework for leaders.

Ready to build trust that lasts?

Start small. Choose one question from above to explore in your next team meeting — and see what opens up.

Want more thinking tools and practical exercises? Follow us on LinkedIn for ongoing insights you can share with your team.

How do you build trust on a team?

Trust is built through consistent vulnerability and transparency. This includes admitting mistakes, asking for help, and engaging in honest feedback. Over time, these behaviors create psychological safety and strong bonds.

Why is trust important for team success?

Trust is the foundation for open communication, healthy conflict, and strong commitment. Teams with trust can tackle tough issues directly and move faster because they aren’t wasting energy on hidden agendas or fear.

What are signs of a lack of trust on a team?

Signs include guarded communication, avoidance of conflict, low engagement, reluctance to share ideas, and decisions being second-guessed. Teams lacking trust often move slowly and struggle to achieve their goals.