Whole Leaders, Wild Trust

CHAPTER 18Productivity, Consistency, and Conflict: Forward Progress, Faithful Practice, and Fighting Well

Teams with high levels of trust do what is necessary, even when it’s hard.

If you’ve ever been part of a team that gets things done on time, with integrity, and under pressure, you know how powerful that experience can be. You also know it’s rare. We feel it when our teammates consistently follow through. We notice when they have the skills to contribute meaningfully. We lean in when the people around us show up again and again, ready to do their part. That kind of team culture doesn’t happen by accident. It grows from three powerful ingredients: competence, consistency, and a commitment to fighting well.

• Whole and trusted teams do the things that need to be done so that others can be effective in their jobs.
• Whole and trusted teams have team members who have the skills and knowledge to be effective in their jobs.
• Whole and trusted teams have team members who are timely and consistent at getting things done.
• Whole and trusted teams have team members who are effective at doing the job they are assigned to do.
• Whole and trusted teams are effective at handling conflict.

We trust people who do what they say they’ll do. We trust teammates who know what they’re doing and know when to ask for help. And we especially trust the ones who show up the same way on Monday morning as they do Thursday afternoon—steady, composed, and present. But trust isn’t just about capability. It’s ...