Fall. Someone Will Catch You, Right?!

Picture you’re in a team building seminar and you’re asked to stand with your back to a colleague. On the count of three, you are to fall back, trusting that your partner will catch you. Do you trust the process? Would your trust depend on which colleague is standing behind you?

This Weekly Tea With ARG focuses on trust, one of the most important elements to building a strong culture.

(Rather listen, check out Weekly Tea with ARG on the Spared Change Podcast)

Falling back into the arms of someone is a physical illustration of trust. It isn’t a new one. In fact, I’m sure that you’ve either experienced it or seen it done a time or two. When you think about the illustration, the person that is falling has to overcome emotional and mental barriers that will allow them to trust the process. The person catching is also preparing to trust the process. They are going through their own physical, emotional and mental process to determine if they have the capabilities to fulfill their end of the commitment.

Trust is the foundation of every high-performing team. It’s what allows people to take risks, share ideas, and collaborate without fear. 

Without trust, even the most talented teams struggle to thrive. But when trust is present, it creates a culture where innovation, connection, and growth can flourish.

Here are three ways to actively build and nurture trust within your team: 

1. Be Transparent and Honest. Trust grows when leaders communicate openly. Share not just the wins but also the challenges. Let your team know they’re part of the bigger picture, and that their input and perspective matter.

2. Follow Through on Commitments. Do what you say you’ll do.This is a simple action, but following through is powerful. Consistent follow-through builds credibility, while broken commitments can chip away at trust.

3. Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue. Encourage open conversations where team members can express ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of judgment.

Trust deepens when people feel heard and valued.

In order for the team to trust the process, each member has to be willing to trust each other. As a leader, your goal is to foster an environment where your team can “fall,” but above all, your goal is to build a team where everyone is prepared to “catch” their colleagues, when the time comes.

This week, I encourage you to reflect on how you’re building trust in your leadership. Is there a conversation you’ve been putting off? A commitment that needs revisiting? Or an opportunity to simply listen and learn from your team?

As you sip your tea (or coffee), ask yourself: What’s one small action I can take this week to strengthen trust within my team?

Because when trust is strong, culture thrives. Here’s to leading with openness and integrity. Have a great week!

Weekly Tea with ARG is a weekly reflection designed to inspire leaders to build intentional, values-driven culture through actionable insights and thoughtful practices.

If you are looking for support to strengthen your company's culture or build team resilience, reach out to us at ARG Coaching & Consulting Group, we are here to help your team conquer change and cultivate results.