How to Unlock Trust Within Your Company

I’ve invested in 20+ startups. The successful ones always have a culture of trust. Most companies secretly don’t trust each other. They have all kinds of trust issues — egos get in the way, issues fester under the surface, and teams become dysfunctional. Mine was the same until I found this simple trust-building exercise, which I’ve now repeated hundreds of times. Here’s how to dramatically improve trust within your company.

Take 15-20 minutes at the start of any informal meeting, such as leadership off-sites or team dinners/drinks. Warn everyone that you’re going to get personal, but that it’ll be fun. Then, go around the room and ask each person these four questions.

1. Where’d you grow up?

• Help them expand.
• Ask follow-up questions.
• Learn about their upbringing.
• Really listen.
  
  

2. Siblings?

• Older or younger?
• What was it like being the [oldest, youngest, only]?
• Context really helps humanize your employees.
  
  

3. Sports or hobbies?

• These are easy things to find in common.
• Get them to elaborate.
• Did they play in high school/college?
• Do they still play?
  
  

4. Biggest challenge?

• This is where things get real.
• People really open up — death in the family, tough upbringing, bullied in the past.
  
  

It’s important to listen attentively and not judge. This simple exercise has a massive impact. People drop their guard, find things in common, and better relate to each other. I’ve seen the trust built through this exercise last for years. Trust me.

About the Author

Scot Chisholm