Tricky Case Coaching: When Trust Is Shaky In Leadership Teams

In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective leadership hinges on more than just strategic vision and decision-making prowess. It requires a cohesive team where trust and open communication flourish. In this Tricky Case Coaching Profile, we are joined by a Director of People Ops who sits on her company leadership team. Director P we will call her, has been grappling with a common yet critical issue: the presence of silos, lack of trust, and inadequate communication among team leaders.

Listen to this episode of 'The Tricky Case Recording' here.

The Challenge of Silos and Trust Deficits

Dir P's leadership team includes the CEO, COO, VP of Engineering, and herself. Despite a supportive environment and efforts to foster openness, the team struggles with siloed behavior. Leaders often withhold their concerns from the CEO and COO, which hinders collaboration and mutual support. This not only impacts decision-making but also undermines the foundation of trust within the team.

The underlying issue is not just the presence of silos but the reluctance of leaders to share their thoughts and challenges openly in biweekly leadership meetings. Despite having feedback mechanisms and coaching sessions, the team members often refrain from voicing their issues. This results in a lack of transparency and a disjointed approach to problem-solving.

The Need for Structured Meetings and Clear Objectives

One major area of concern highlighted by Dir P is the ineffectiveness of their bi-weekly leadership meetings. These meetings often lack a clear agenda and structured approach, leading to wasted time and unaddressed issues. Dir P points out that these sessions should be focused on high-level decision-making, problem-solving, and team bonding. However, without proper preparation, the meetings fail to achieve these objectives.

To rectify this, Dir P and Coach Rach discuss that moving forward it will be crucial to establish clear objectives for each meeting and create a well-defined agenda that is prepared and shared advance. This will ensure that all members know what is expected in the upcoming meeting and come ready to discuss pertinent issues. By taking these steps, meetings will become more productive and signal to the team that their time and input are valued.

Building Trust through Personal Understanding and Engagement

Trust is the bedrock of any successful team. In this call, Dir P and Coach Rach discuss the importance of understanding each Leader's personality and communication style. This will mean going beyond surface-level interactions and investing time in truly getting to know one another. Activities designed to build trust and camaraderie will play a crucial role in this objective. These could range from team-building exercise leveraging tools like LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®  to informal gatherings where members can share personal experiences and build rapport. The goal is to create an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and challenges without fear of judgment.

Actionable Steps for Improvement

• Establish Clear Meeting Objectives: Define the purpose of each meeting and prepare a detailed agenda. Ensure that all members contribute to the agenda items, which helps in addressing everyone's concerns.
• Foster Personal Understanding: Invest time in understanding each team member’s personality, communication style, and growth mindset. This can be achieved through one-on-one sessions and team-building activities.
• Encourage Open Dialogue: Create a safe space for team members to voice their concerns and opinions. Emphasize that disagreement is healthy and essential for innovative problem-solving.
• Implement Trust-Building Exercises: Engage the team in activities that build trust and camaraderie. This could include workshops, retreats, or informal gatherings that focus on relationship-building.
• Provide Continuous Feedback: Encourage leaders to provide and seek continuous feedback. This not only helps in personal development but also in maintaining a culture of openness and mutual support.

By taking these steps, Dir P hopes to break down the existing silos and build a more cohesive and trusting leadership team. The journey towards effective leadership is continuous, but with the right strategies in place, it is certainly attainable. If you are reading this and recognize similar challenges happening in your team, don't delay taking the steps that will help you overcome these challenges.