Trust is one of those foundational things we all know we need. If you’ve built it within your team, congratulations – that’s no small feat! Trust can be one of the hardest things to build, and you should celebrate the fact that it’s high. But here’s the catch: trust isn’t meant to just sit there, unused, like cash in a vault.

Think of trust as a bank account. You’ve worked hard to make deposits – showing up consistently, supporting each other, following through on commitments, and practicing vulnerability-based trust. Vulnerability-based trust is about being real with each other: admitting mistakes, asking for help, and showing humility. This creates psychological safety – a space where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and be themselves.

But the point of all this isn’t just to look at the balance and feel good about it. The point is to spend it. 

Spending trust means leaning into the things we tend to avoid: conflict, disagreement, feedback, and accountability. These are hard conversations that make our teams better. When we take the risk to engage in these moments – even when it feels uncomfortable – we spend some of that trust we’ve built.

Here’s the amazing part: when we navigate these moments well, trust doesn’t just bounce back. It grows. The process pays dividends. Sure, it might take time – hard conversations can leave scars – but when we come out the other side, our trust account is even bigger. 

On the flip side, avoiding conflict chips away at trust over time. Problems fester. Decisions suffer. And what happens to that bank account we were so proud of? The balance slowly erodes.

Here’s the truth: no one loves conflict. When the moment comes, our instinct is to sidestep it. But great teams take risks. They reward effort (even when the delivery isn’t perfect) and grow stronger together.

So, ask yourself: Have you seen the dividends of trust after a hard conversation? How can you and your team leverage trust to push through challenges and emerge stronger?

Remember: Spend it or lose it.

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Want to go a little deeper into managing conflict and creating deeper trust? Click here. Need a little outside help developing a high-trust executive or leadership team? Check out our workplace solutions process and healthy teams workshops.