Trustworthy Team
There’s nothing quite like being among a group of people who you really trust. It’s an incredible feeling to know you are going to be protected and supported no matter what comes your way. Honestly, it’s easier to find a pair of jeans that fit perfectly than it is to find a group of people who have rock solid trust. So if you find them, don’t let them go. The thing is, we tend to show appreciation and gratitude for the trust but we may not always think about why we feel safe with our most trusted confidants. Where does the trust come from and how is it shown? It’s important to think about those questions so you can know how to identify trustworthiness and be able to demonstrate trust others, be-it potential friends, family, or colleagues.
Ideally, you want to get a sense of how well you can trust future colleagues before you start a new position. So, how do you find the answers to these questions in a job interview? Like always, you want to ask directly. “What are some ways trust is expressed or shown within the team? Another way of saying this is “what does trust look like/how is trust demonstrated within this team?” It’s best to ask this question during group interviews when you have the majority of your potential colleagues in the room. That way you can read their body language and track their eye contact. Most of the times, you will get the most honest answers before anyone even says a word. However, feel free to ask if you get a lunch meeting with staff or even the students they work with. The pressure is usually a little lighter in these settings so you may get more candor.
As far as green flags go, some of the things you will want to look for are eye contact and positive facial expressions from the team. In terms of actual answers, you will want to hear something along the lines of helping each other solve problems. This is particularly true when someone makes a mistake or an idea fails. The response is not to assign blame but to collectively find a solution. The support and encouragement are ongoing and ultimately the team has a sincere sense of gratitude and appreciation.
In terms of red flags, you may see a hesitance or avoidance of eye contact and negative facial expressions. There will be difficulty developing answers so you will have to read in between the lines. The responses will allude to a lack of communication that brings about ongoing uncertainty or doubt about the work to be done as well as if people want to stay in their roles. Staff may also feel vulnerable or at risk as it relates to job performance or even job security. Overall, there is a limited sense of security or protection.
Depending on how much time you have this question may get pushed aside, so pay attention to the body language when you ask other questions. However, if you are able to ask this question take the responses very seriously.
TL/DR:
Ask: What are some ways trust is expressed/shown within the team?
Meaning: What does trust look like within the team?
Green Flags: Helping others solve problems, compassionate response to failure, sincere thanks/appreciation/gratitude, consistent support/encouragement/reliability
Red Flags: limited sense of security/protection, lack of communication or certainty, vulnerable or unprotected
