How can you use shared interests to build trust among team members?

Shared interests provide the groundwork for building connection and trust. These may be hobbies or topics, but overall can be any genuine interest that both people resonate with. Be careful to not assume shared interests, as doing so can sometime actually cause damage if based on stereotypes or bias. It is best to start from a place of curiosity, empathy, vulnerability, and interest.

Our brains are hardwired to connect. If they aren't provided the opportunities to do so, they often default due to our old-wiring and the process becomes more challenging. Humans want to understand each other and although it's a nice sentiment, it's far from one and done. It requires a continuous commitment to foster opportunities for those to build upon those shared interests.

Like attracts like is also true in professional settings. Discovering shared interests promotes trust and camaraderie .This improves communication and collaboration, extending to professional activities and cultivating a culture of trust and empathy. Developing trust through shared interests entails identifying commonalities, forming interest-based groups, facilitating interactions, encouraging collaboration, celebrating successes, and incorporating shared interests into work tasks. This process encourages inclusivity, reflects on team dynamics, and uses shared interests to resolve conflicts.

There could be instances when shared interest could be the same like technology, health, music etc, yet it may not aid to building trust. At best it could help in building rapport. A few suggestions other than the conventional ways. 1.Ask team for feedback often to let them know you value them. 2.Update them on your challenges, deliverables and expectations. 3.Be transparent with the progress, avoid showing rosy pictures, call spade a spade. 4. Create Subliminal trust while making honest effort to earn faith. There are certain phrases, which when used often create trust subliminally - You can trust me. I trust my team, or I trust him to complete the project time. I will not fail you, I just need your trust He is not trust worthy.

We are all social creatures. Recent Global events have shown to us that we all have a deep desire to connect, going beyond small talk and diving deep into getting to ACTUALLY know someone well. It's something that we are always craving, connection. What better way to get it started than to learn about shared interests which serves as the first bridge to connection! That being said, shared interests are but the start point for meaningful relationships to ignite. They tell the story of how and why something is important to someone, how they may be differently important.

As a leader, I encourage bonding through casual coffee conversations, lunches and opportunities to play fun games together. We organize team building events that help the teams to unwind and spend time with one another. As a new team, we also set some team norms that could help promote open dialogue and respectful conversations.

As a leader, especially if you are leading a remote workforce, you need to be much more intentional about how you will build trust amongst team members. The first place to start is for you to be vulnerable and share more about yourself and your interests on team calls. Then invite each person each week to share their life story. It does wonders for creating stronger working relationships when you get to know each other as human beings and not workers.

As an executive coach, I help teams uncover their shared interests by creating a relaxed and supportive environment for open communication. During breaks, lunches, or team-building activities, I encourage casual conversations, allowing team members to connect on a personal level. Surveys, quizzes, or icebreaker games can also reveal hidden passions and shared hobbies. The key is to approach these interactions with curiosity, openness, and respect, fostering a sense of trust and mutual understanding.

I find that learning about personalities often help break the ice. I specialise in teaching the Enneagram and one of the things I am always intrigued by is how two people who have the same core personality type can be so different in their interests too! It always starts with a spark of curiosity before any conversations can happen. Learning about shared or different interests are both wonderful ways of getting to know someone!

Please ask, engage and share your own interests to know the one of the teams. Showing genuine interest is crucial. Being appreciative of it is also important even if it doesn't resonate with you.

It's important to understand why an interest is someone else's interest in the first place. Learn the stories of how they developed these interests and reflect back on your own journey as well. What you are looking for here is more than just a shared interest, but a shared identity so that you feel a sense of belonging in that situation. A soccer player and a basketball player may love different ball games, but they have a shared interest in playing sports and becoming world-class athletes!

During meetings or casual gatherings, promote open discussions about personal interests, hobbies, and experiences. These interactions break down barriers and create a sense of camaraderie. Team-building activities centered around shared interests, such as creative workshops or outdoor adventures, further strengthen connections and create lasting memories. Celebrating individual and team achievements related to shared interests highlights the positive impact of these connections and reinforces the value of diverse talents beyond professional roles. By weaving shared interests into communication, teams cultivate trust, collaboration, and a more cohesive work environment.

Imagine your team as a diverse group of individuals, each with their unique strengths and passions. By identifying shared interests among team members, you create a common ground that fosters open communication. This shared connection acts as a glue, making interactions more enjoyable and ultimately boosting morale. On the positive side, when people feel a personal connection, they're often more motivated. It's like finding a work buddy who shares your enthusiasm for a particular project or task. This can lead to increased creativity and innovative problem-solving, as diverse perspectives come together with a shared passion.

An additional thought is how important this idea is for inclusion. When you done feel that you have shared interests with team members you can feel like you don’t belong. Chances are that there are shared interests you have and it takes intentional efforts by leaders to help find and facilitate those shared interests among team members to bolster belonging.

Shared interests can be powerful tools for building trust in a team. Encourage team members to discuss and discover common hobbies or passions, creating opportunities for informal conversations. This helps humanize team members beyond their professional roles, fostering a sense of connection. Additionally, consider incorporating shared interests into team-building activities or creating dedicated spaces for discussions related to those interests. Building personal connections can strengthen the overall team dynamic and trust among members.

Promoting open communication and sharing about personal interests during team meetings or casual gatherings breaks down barriers and creates a more relatable atmosphere. Encourage team members to share their hobbies, passions, and experiences, fostering a sense of mutual understanding and appreciation. Organizing team-building activities centered around shared interests allows team members to collaborate, learn from each other, and bond over shared experiences. These activities can range from creative workshops to outdoor adventures, strengthening connections and creating lasting memories. By nurturing shared interests among team members, organizations can cultivate a culture of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.

In my experience, it is worth thinking about how one increases respect for each other in the team. Often just getting team members to update the team with a 10-minute presentation on what's coming up, or where they are in the annual plan, as examples. I have seen when respect shows itself, good working relationships ensue.

It’s essential to be mindful of potential pitfalls. Sometimes, if not managed well, shared interests might steer the team away from the primary project goals. It's like a group of friends planning a road trip – they might get so excited about picking the perfect playlist that they forget to plan the actual route! Moreover, relying too heavily on shared interests could unintentionally exclude diverse perspectives. So, the key is balance. Celebrate shared interests, but always keep the main project objectives in sight. It's like juggling – you want to toss those shared interests into the mix, but make sure you don't drop the big project ball!