Got Your Back

A few years ago, I went to a leadership retreat where everyone in the group did a trust fall. Have you ever done a trust fall? This is a time where you literally have to believe that someone truly has your back. It’s a leap of faith for yourself and for your team.

In the book, Tuesdays with Morrie, Morrie had his students experience trust falls. It was hit or miss until one student closed her eyes and fell back without flinching. Morrie explained, “You see, you closed your eyes. That was the difference. Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too — even when you’re in the dark. Even when you’re falling.”

It’s true. The feeling of trust was equally strong – both when I fell and when I caught others falling. It formed a bond among the team that continues until this day. By trusting that they would catch me, they were able to trust that I would catch them. Isn’t that what we are all seeking in a team? Knowing that we have each other’s backs?

One of my earliest “ahas” in leading a team was to assume positive intent. No one comes into work wanting to do a bad job. Leaning in, listening, and creating relationships was critical to smooth operations. Understanding the importance of what we were doing, exchanging ideas, and laughter were critical to our purpose. All of that created trust among us.

When we let go of the stories we tell ourselves about what’s happening and, instead, focus on what is possible to do together, when we truly trust one another … everything shifts.

This Week: Where does trust – or lack thereof – show up for you? Assume positive intent. For 48 hours, take the high road. See the best qualities in all of your team members. Be human and allow for their humanness. See what shifts.

In Next Week’s Post: Change is a constant.