ABSTRACT
The best way to lay the foundation of trust for team is to be the embodiment of vulnerability-based trust. In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni articulates two primary components of trust for fully functional teams: that of giving the benefit of the doubt to fellow teammates during difficult times and demonstrating and honoring vulnerability. On teams where trust is high, the focus is on finding solutions to problems–as a team–not on assigning blame or ferreting out scapegoats. Members of trusting teams admit weaknesses and mistakes, ask for help, accept questions and input about their areas of responsibility, give one another the benefit of the doubt before arriving at a negative conclusion, appreciate and tap into one another's skills and experience, offer and accept apologies without hesitation and look forward to meetings and other opportunities to work as a group.
