How do you build trust with other teams?

Trust is the foundation of any successful team, but it can be especially challenging to build trust with other teams that have different goals, cultures, or backgrounds. In this article, you will learn some practical tips on how to foster trust and collaboration across teams, whether you are a team leader or a team member.

1 Understand the context

Before you can build trust with other teams, you need to understand their context: what are their objectives, challenges, expectations, and preferences? How do they communicate, work, and make decisions? What are their strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots? By doing some research, asking questions, and listening actively, you can gain a better insight into their perspective and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts.

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2 Respect the differences

Every team has its own unique identity, culture, and norms, and you should respect and appreciate the differences rather than judge or criticize them. Instead of imposing your own standards or assumptions, try to adapt and accommodate to their style and preferences, as long as they are not unethical or harmful. For example, you can adjust your communication frequency, tone, and format to match theirs, or use their preferred tools and platforms. You can also acknowledge and celebrate their achievements and contributions, and show interest and curiosity in their background and experiences.

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3 Communicate clearly and frequently

Communication is key to building trust with other teams, as it helps to align expectations, clarify roles and responsibilities, share information and feedback, and resolve issues and conflicts. You should communicate clearly and frequently with other teams, using multiple channels and methods, and ensuring that your messages are consistent and transparent. You should also avoid jargon, acronyms, or slang that might confuse or alienate them, and use simple and respectful language. Moreover, you should listen attentively and empathetically to their concerns, questions, and suggestions, and respond promptly and politely.

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Michelle Morgan

Non-Profit Professional | 9 Years Relationship Building | 6 Years Marketing
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Transparency and over communicating should be regular staples in everyday professional communication. Sharing the "why" you need something completed, executed, delivered, etc. helps the party(ies) involved better understand the support you're asking for. It also strengthens collaboration and trust. In addition to being transparent, overcommunicating helps resolve any possible clarity issues. The back and forth Slack messages or emails becomes overwhelming and often loses the initial ask or task. If our communication can be of the caliber in which we can deliver a request or directive the first time, we can reduce ambiguity and wasted time.

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4 Collaborate effectively and creatively

Collaboration is another way to build trust with other teams, as it helps to create a sense of shared purpose, mutual support, and interdependence. You should collaborate effectively and creatively with other teams, by setting clear and realistic goals, defining roles and expectations, establishing processes and guidelines, and using tools and resources that facilitate teamwork. You should also seek opportunities to co-create, innovate, and learn from each other, and leverage the diversity and strengths of each team. Additionally, you should give and receive constructive feedback, appreciate and recognize each other's efforts, and celebrate and share the outcomes.

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Michelle Morgan

Non-Profit Professional | 9 Years Relationship Building | 6 Years Marketing
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Collaboration is the measure of strength within an organization. The more productive collaboration taking place within a company speaks to the trust built among different departments in that company. Lines of communication are open, transparency is embedded in their communication, and respect has be established between individuals. But this is only successful when everyone at an organization knows they have a voice and can contribute positively to the progress of their department or organization. The best way to foster organization wide collaboration is to have those in a supervisory capacity hold regular check-ins and meetings. Bosses and managers shouldn't be the only ones providing feedback, but every employee.

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5 Manage conflicts and challenges

Conflicts and challenges are inevitable when working with other teams, but they can also be opportunities to build trust if they are managed well. You should manage conflicts and challenges with other teams, by adopting a positive and solution-oriented attitude, focusing on the common interests and goals, and respecting the opinions and feelings of each party. You should also avoid blaming, accusing, or ignoring the other team, and instead communicate openly and honestly, listen to their point of view, and negotiate and compromise when needed. Furthermore, you should learn from the mistakes and failures, and take actions to prevent or minimize them in the future.

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6 Build relationships and rapport

Trust is not only based on professional performance, but also on personal connection and rapport. You should build relationships and rapport with other teams, by showing your personality, authenticity, and vulnerability, and expressing your emotions and values. You should also engage in informal and social interactions with them, such as small talk, jokes, stories, or hobbies, and find common ground and interests. Additionally, you should support and help each other when needed, and show empathy and compassion in difficult situations.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Raj Jain

Co-Founder @ Springbok | MBA in Marketing
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Collaborate, empower, respect are few key elements that build trust with other teams. Additionally, its a tool to understand perspective if each team member and may result in better decision making.

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How do you build trust with other teams?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the context

2 Respect the differences

3 Communicate clearly and frequently

4 Collaborate effectively and creatively

5 Manage conflicts and challenges

6 Build relationships and rapport

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Leadership

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How do you build trust with other teams?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the context

2 Respect the differences

3 Communicate clearly and frequently

4 Collaborate effectively and creatively

5 Manage conflicts and challenges

6 Build relationships and rapport

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Leadership

Rate this article

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