At The Table with Patrick Lencioni

253. Trust Must Be Exercised

54 snips
Oct 14, 2025
Avoiding tough conversations can unintentionally erode trust within teams. Curiosity, rather than suspicion, fosters stronger relationships by allowing open dialogue. Trust should be actively used, not just preserved, much like a car needs to be driven. Conflict can signal healthy trust rather than dysfunction. Remote work complicates trust-building, making it essential for leaders to take the first step in exercising it. True trust flourishes in candid interactions, even if they feel awkward.
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INSIGHT

Curiosity Strengthens Trust

  • Curiosity-based questions reinforce trust when asked to help, not to accuse.
  • Avoiding those questions to prevent awkwardness actually breeds suspicion over time.
ADVICE

Ask With Intent And Explain Why

  • Ask questions from a place of trust and offer help or feedback, not verification for suspicion.
  • Explain your intent clearly so curiosity isn't misread as distrust.
INSIGHT

Trust Decays If Unused

  • Building trust alone isn't enough; it must be used to produce results.
  • Trust kept unused atrophies and becomes fragile instead of strengthening the team.
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