If Your Team Feels Off, Read This

You ask how things are going.
They say, “All good.”

But you know it’s not.

The work is getting done, but the energy feels off. People seem distracted. Quiet. Maybe even disengaged. Yet, whenever you try to go deeper, the answer is always the same: “All good.”

That frustrating wall you keep hitting? It’s not about performance. It’s about trust. And when trust is missing, real conversations never happen.

I hear this over and over again in my research conversations with tech industry managers: highly capable leaders with the best intentions, yet struggling because their teams won’t open up.

Not because they don’t care.
But because trust hasn’t been built—yet.

Why Trust Isn’t Built with Snacks and Happy Hours

It’s a common trap: mistaking “being nice” for building trust.

You can organize happy hours, stock the breakroom with donuts, or run fun team-building activities. They help in the moment—but they don’t create lasting trust.

Real trust is built through:

• Consistency (showing up every week without fail)

• Accountability (doing what you say you’ll do)

• Presence (listening and responding, especially when it’s hard)

Rebuilding Trust: 3 Small Shifts That Create Big Impact

If you want your team to open up, small talk and good intentions aren’t enough. Here’s where to start:

1️⃣ Make Your 1:1s Count
Stop treating them like status checklists. Ask real questions:

• “What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing right now?”

• “Is there anything you need from me that you’re not getting?”

Your consistency proves you’re not just ticking boxes—you’re invested in their growth.

2️⃣ Follow Through Relentlessly
Trust isn’t built on big promises; it’s built on kept ones.
If you say you’ll help, do it.
If you say you’ll follow up, follow through.
Every kept commitment makes your words matter more.

3️⃣ Model Vulnerability
If you want honesty, go first.
Share what you’re working on, where you’ve struggled, or what’s been hard lately. It shows your team that it’s safe to be open too.

The Bottom Line:

If your team keeps saying “All good” when you know it’s not, you don’t have a people problem—you have a trust problem. And the good news? Trust can be rebuilt, step by step.

Let’s Talk

What’s one relationship on your team you wish felt stronger?

If you’re navigating a trust gap and want to rebuild connection, I’d love to hear your experience.

Right now, I’m conducting confidential research conversations with tech industry managers who have recently taken on new teams.

👉 [Schedule your research call here]

Or simply hit reply and tell me what you’re seeing. I read every message.

Cheers

Jeff