It’s all about Trust: the Hidden Driver of Team Performance
Trust is often invisible, but you can feel its presence, or indeed, its absence. It’s a measurable, biological, and behavioural force that shapes how teams perform, connect and grow.
Trust doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built intentionally through a series of consistent, meaningful interactions. It’s not about grand gestures, but small moments that accumulate over time. Building trust is a dynamic process shaped by behaviour, communication, and shared experiences.
Whether you're leading a team, part of one, or trying to rebuild trust after it's been shaken, understanding how trust works, and how to nurture it; is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. In this article, we’ll explore what neuroscience tells us about trust and some of the steps you can take in order to build trust in your team.
Firstly though, let’s make a case for why trust is important for teams to have in the first place.
Trust Predicts Team Performance
Studies show strong correlations between trust and outcomes such as team satisfaction, commitment, reduced stress and overall performance effectiveness. When team members trust each other, they feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and voice concerns. Having collective trust in a team reduces fear of judgment or retaliation, encourages honest dialogue and enables constructive feedback. When people trust each other, they take risks, and work through problems without second-guessing every move.
When trust is missing, everything slows down. Conversations get guarded, collaboration feels forced, and people start protecting themselves instead of supporting each other. Creativity thrives in environments where people feel psychologically safe.
What Neuroscience Tells Us About Trust
Trust affects the parts of our brain that are responsible for reward, social reasoning and risk evaluation. When people feel safe, recognised or supported, levels of a neurochemical called Oxytocin (the ‘trust hormone’) increase, helping to promote empathy, bonding and collaboration. This motivates cooperation and makes it feel good to help others. Our brains are shaped over time by these biological loops that are continually reinforced as trust is built.
Distrust on the other hand triggers our amygdala and insula - areas of the brain that are tied to fear, threat detection and emotional discomfort.
How Trust Builds in Teams: Step by Step
1. It Starts with Vulnerability
Trust often begins when someone takes a small risk: sharing an idea, admitting uncertainty, or admitting a mistake. When that vulnerability is met with support rather than judgement, trust starts to form.
2. Consistency Builds Confidence
Reliability is key. When team members consistently follow through on commitments, show up for each other, and communicate openly, trust deepens. It grows when actions match words, especially under pressure. Inconsistency, especially from leadership, can quickly erode it.
3. Open Communication Reinforces Safety
Teams that can talk openly about challenges, feedback and expectations create a culture of transparency. This builds real psychological safety within a team.
4. Mutual Respect and Empathy
Trust grows when people feel heard, valued and understood. It’s not about agreeing necessarily, but it is about showing respect and kindness even when you disagree with your colleague/team member.
5. Shared Goals and Accountability
When everyone is aligned around a common purpose and holds themselves accountable, trust becomes a collective asset.
6. Repair Matters more than Perfection
Trust isn’t always perfect. Mistakes happen and what matters is how they’re handled. Owning mistakes, apologising and making amends are powerful trust builders. If trust breaks, don’t ignore it. Instead address it head on and do what’s needed to repair it.
“Teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.”
Patrick Lencioni
