Trust--The Glue of Effective Teams

"Trust is the glue of life.  It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication.  It's the foundation principle that holds all relationships together."  ~Stephen Covey

Component C of the MNPS IC Map for Collaborative Inquiry is all about fostering a culture of trust.  When groups have high relational trust, "it is safe to display both high competence and vulnerability" (Lipton & Wellman, 2012, p. 13).  There is a section on the Seven Qualities of High-Performing Groups--Scaled Group Inventory and the Seven Qualities of High-Performing Groups--Self-Assessment Inventory (see below questions).  I encourage you to review the questions about yourself and your teams to gauge the trust levels. 

Using the data from the inventories, what might be some strategies you start using to increase the trust levels?  Here's the link to the Component C Resources, which may help.

If you already have high levels of trusts, do you have resources to share with others?  If so, please email Margie Johnson at [email protected].  I will add them to the MNPS Collaboration website and share with others in the next blog post.

Have a great week.  T-2 days until Spring Break begins.  :)  Have a wonderful break!

Scaled Group Inventory Questions about Trust:

• Do we clarify and communicate high expectations for ourselves as a group?
• Do we make it safe not to know?
• Do our actions reflect our commitments?

Self-Assessment Inventory Questions about Trust

• What makes me feel safe or not in this group?
• How am I making it safe for others?
• Am I following through on my commitments?

Reference:
Lipton, L, & Wellman, B. (2012).  Got data? Now what?: Creating and leading cultures of inquiry.  Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.