Assess Your Team’s Trust Levels
Trust is the foundation of a healthy, high-performing workplace. Research shows that high-trust organizations outperform their competitors in employee engagement, innovation, and retention. This checklist will help you assess your organization’s trust level and identify areas for improvement.
Instructions: For each statement, rate your agreement on a scale from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
Section 1: Leadership & Transparency
Key Research Insight: According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, transparency and open communication from leadership are critical in fostering trust within organizations.
- Leaders in our organization communicate openly, even when the news isn’t positive.
- Leadership consistently follows through on commitments.
- Mistakes and failures are acknowledged and addressed, not hidden.
- Leaders actively seek feedback from employees and act on it.
- Leadership models the values they expect from the team.
Resources:
- Edelman Trust Barometer – Annual global study on trust in leadership and organizations.
- The Memo by Minda Harts – Focuses on leadership and workplace trust for women of colour.
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown – Examines trust and vulnerability in leadership.
- Leadership and the New Science by Margaret Wheatley – Explores trust and complexity in leadership.
Section 2: Team Dynamics & Communication
Key Research Insight: A study published in Harvard Business Review found that psychological safety—the belief that one can speak up without fear of negative consequences—is essential for team trust and innovation.
- Team members feel safe sharing ideas, even if they challenge the status quo.
- Mistakes are treated as learning opportunities rather than reasons for blame.
- Team members give and receive constructive feedback openly and respectfully.
- Everyone on the team is treated fairly and equally.
- Successes are regularly recognized and celebrated across the team.
Resources:
- Harvard Business Review – Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams
- My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem – Addresses racialized trauma and trust-building within teams.
- We Will Not Cancel Us by adrienne maree brown – Discusses communication, trust, and accountability in organizations.
Section 3: Organizational Culture & Values
Key Research Insight: Research by Great Place to Work indicates that organizations where employees see a strong alignment between values and daily practices report higher levels of engagement and trust.
- Our organization’s stated values are reflected in daily practices and decisions.
- Information is shared across teams, not siloed.
- Diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected.
- Employees feel empowered to take ownership of their work without being micromanaged.
- Conflicts are addressed openly and resolved respectfully.
Resources:
- Great Place to Work – How Trust Drives Business Success
- Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva – Examines trust, equity, and healing within organizations.
Scoring Your Trust Audit:
40-50: Your organization has a strong foundation of trust—keep nurturing it!
30-39: Trust is present, but could be strengthened. Focus on consistent communication and addressing feedback.
20-29: Trust gaps are impacting team dynamics. It’s time for honest conversations and leadership alignment.
Below 20: Trust is a significant challenge. Prioritize rebuilding through transparency, accountability, and open dialogue.
Additional Resources for Building Trust
- The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey – A must-read on how trust impacts leadership and organizational success.
- Radical Candor – A framework for fostering honest and empathetic communication in teams.
- Project Aristotle by Google – Insights from Google’s research on what makes teams successful, with trust at the core.
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer – Discusses Indigenous wisdom, sustainability, and trust in relationships.
- The Wake Up by Michelle MiJung Kim – A guide to inclusive leadership and trust-building.
Integrating these trust-building practices into your organization can foster a more engaged, innovative, and high-performing team.
