Stage 2: Trust-Building

I know that I am now part of this team or work group, but, who are my fellow team members and what will they expect of me? How will I fit in? At this stage in the group’s development, individuals begin to consider the issue of trust. How well do I know my team members and to what degree can we depend on each other to get our tasks done? The stage of trust-building is perhaps the stage most directly related to the creation and maintenance of psychological safety.

Diversity is reflected in differences we have as individuals: differences in values, worldview, life purpose and experiences, how we value our work, learning style, and many other factors that have influenced our unique conditioning and development as individuals. Additionally, to effectively address diversity in the organization, we need to examine how power is used and is played out and how this relates to individuals and their social location (e.g. gender, accent, race, disability among others).

This stage is often by-passed or given short shrift because of the work-related pressures in many environments to simply get the job done and produce results.

The Role of the Leader

 Leaders are advised that careful attention to this stage and taking the time to build trust with team members sets the stage for quality performance and productivity. Trusting is an ongoing process (not a "one off activity") that unfolds over tiime.

"Building trust in the health care community is our greatest challenge for the 21st-century."

                                                                                                       LELAND KAISER