LEADERSHIP
Building the Team
Team Building and Trust Development
Trust and psychological safety are the foundation for high-performing leadership teams in fast-moving, high-risk environments.
TIME COMMITMENT
Weekly/monthly rituals
Bi-annual offsite or intensive
Why This Matters
Drives better collaboration and creativity
Reduces ego-driven conflict
Increases resilience in high-pressure situations
Supports open, fast feedback
Builds long-term leadership retention
When to Focus On This
After forming leadership team
During rapid growth or team stress
When new execs join or team feels disconnected
How to Complete
Schedule regular team-building offsites
Use structured exercises to build vulnerability and connection
Embed trust-building into 1:1s and retros
Normalize asking for help and giving feedback
Model openness from the top (founders especially)
Include values-aligned rituals in your operating rhythm
Train on psychological safety and emotional intelligence
Tools
Team offsite agendas
Google re:Work psychological safety guide
Founder storytelling prompts
Deliverables
Trust-building event calendar
Team “ways we work” handbook
Shared rituals log
How to Measure Success
Leadership team NPS or trust pulse checks
Peer-to-peer feedback rates
Reduction in unresolved conflict
Willingness to challenge or admit mistakes
Who Owns This
CEO + each leader contributes
COO or Head of People can facilitate
Get It Right
Start small and consistent (e.g. one ritual per week)
Make trust-building practical, not fluffy
Encourage vulnerability without forcing it
Make space for dissent and disagreement
Reinforce with structure (not just vibes)
Don't Make These Mistakes
Over-relying on offsites without follow-through
Assuming trust = friendliness
Not addressing trust violations
Lack of time set aside for reflection
Making it optional or deprioritized