Connection, Trust and Accountability
The Trust Stage: Respect/Safety, Accountability, and Personal Connection.
At this stage, teams rise and fall together. When any teammate thrives, everyone benefits. When someone fails, the whole team suffers. The symptoms of struggle in the Trust Stage include a breakdown of psychological safety, tolerance of disrespect, lack of accountability and weak interpersonal connections.
Key Pain Points and Blind Spots
| Key Pain Point | Blind Spot |
|---|---|
| Undercurrent of disrespect | Dysfunctional or toxic exchange is tolerated |
| Lack of accountability | Tasks have inconsistent follow-through or team norms/mission are violated |
| Lack of connection | Teammates seem cautious, distant, or guarded |