“WORKING WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST MAKES GOAL-REACHING EASIER.”

“Ugh, he is always late delivering projects.”
“I don’t think she did her 100% here.”
“This is why I don’t like working with him.”

You’ve heard it. You may have said it.

Its understandable to get upset when things don’t go as planned. And it often happens when we collaborate because everyone is working on multiple projects.

Yet there is a significant difference in the quality of collaboration between teams that have fundamental trust and empathy for one another compared to teams that don’t.

I’ve been thinking about this as a result of a recent conversation I had with someone who was upset with a shared colleague—one with whom I’ve always had positive experiences.

While the issue of this person showing up late was constant, I decided that instead of becoming frustrated, I’d channel my curiosity.

I focused more on:

I wonder why she is late. I hope nothing bad is going on at home or with her health. How can we make the best use of this time while we wait?

I believe she picked up on this shift in my thinking. I kept experiencing continued productivity from my engagement with her as I focused on our trusted relationship—rather than doubting her capacity. I don’t think my other colleague ever got over the negative impression he formed of her. As a result, he continued to doubt everything she did and that negatively impacted and ultimately ended their team collaboration.

This is just one example. But we all know how it feels to work with someone who trusts us, gives us a second chance or benefit of the doubt, and make us feel welcome.

The conversation on Reskilling Revolution by the World Economic Forum is timely. 42% of core skills required to perform existing jobs are expected to change in 2022. Creativity, collaboration, and interpersonal skills are becoming even more critical in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This means we absolutely must think about what it means to cultivate a welcoming and trusting culture.

What are you doing today to be ready for tomorrow?