How do you build trust in a team
Trust is the foundation of every successful team. Without it, collaboration suffers, communication breaks down, and even the best strategies fall flat. But how do you build trust in a team especially in fast-paced workplaces or across departments that rarely connect?
True trust takes more than team lunches or icebreakers. It’s about creating psychological safety, encouraging openness, and helping people understand each other’s perspectives.
1. Create Psychological Safety
Teams thrive when people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of judgment. Psychological safety allows honest conversations about what’s working and what’s not. It’s the first step toward deeper trust.
2. Address “The Elephant in the Room”
Every team has unspoken tensions or issues that hold them back. How to build trust in a team often starts by naming those tensions and working through them together.
At WayMaker for Business, we use LEGO® Serious Play® to provide a safe and creative way to explore these challenges. This method helps teams address difficult topics what we like to call “safely going after the elephant in the room”without conflict or defensiveness.
3. Bring Everyone into the Present
Trust grows when everyone feels heard and included. LEGO Serious Play workshops literally get everyone’s hands on the table inviting every team member to contribute, reflect, and connect in the moment.
The process helps individuals explore their place within the team, understand how they connect with others, and appreciate why their differences matter. When people see how each piece fits together, collaboration becomes stronger and more authentic.
4. Celebrate Diversity and Difference
Differences in perspective aren’t obstacles—they’re strengths. By exploring what each person brings to the table, teams can build empathy and recognise the value in diverse thinking.
5. Make it Meaningful (and Fun)
Trust-building doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Play creates connection. LEGO Serious Play allows teams to laugh, experiment, and share in a way that feels natural and engaging while still diving deep into meaningful conversations.
Building Trust Through WayMaker Workshops
At WayMaker for Business, our creative workshops use LEGO Serious Play to help teams build trust, improve communication, and strengthen relationships across the organisation.
The result? Teams that communicate more openly, collaborate more effectively, and move forward together with shared purpose.
If you’re wondering how to build trust in a team or want to create deeper alignment across your organisation, get in touch with WayMaker for Business to explore how our LEGO Serious Play workshops can help your team connect and thrive.