Our leadership meetings look fine on paper, but we never have real breakthrough debates. How do I know if my team actually trusts each other, or if they are just playing nice to avoid conflict?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

To evaluate if your team has real trust, look for what author Daniel Coyle calls status management. In low trust teams, members spend their energy managing how they are perceived, hesitating to speak, and subtly competing. In high trust teams, people show vulnerability easily, ask for help, and try things together without fear of looking foolish. If your meetings are polite but flat, you do not have a harmony problem, you have a trust problem. Trust is built through personal connection and risk taking. To fix this, you must lead by taking the first risk. Start your next Level 10 Meeting by admitting a significant mistake or sharing something you are struggling with. This signals that vulnerability is safe. You should also look at the conative makeup of your team using the Kolbe A Index. Some members may naturally need more facts before speaking, while others are quick to jump in. By mapping out these working styles, you can structure your debates to ensure every voice is heard. Finally, actively call out artificial harmony during your meetings. When you sense someone is holding back, pause the meeting and gently demand their real perspective. True trust requires the courage to engage in healthy conflict.