Why Teams Can't Speak Up: Building Trust in a Polarized World
One topic that is very alive for me right now when I work with communities, organizations, and teams is trust. There are so often difficulties with trust, and many undercurrents—things that people are not sure if they can talk about, or how they can bring those forward.
This is a huge issue. How do you build enough trust in a container that these things can be voiced without getting stuck in the negative or polarization? How can challenging topics be voiced and worked through in a productive way that leads to understanding and creative new approaches?
Swimming in a Sea of Mistrust
The world around us—what we see everyday in the news and social media—is tremendously polarized. Most of what we witness is based on mistrust, polarized debate, and opposition. We're swimming in that sea. It’s all too easy to get cynical, and it can be hard to remember communication doesn’t have to look like this—and isn’t meant to.
We don't have a lot of models of people on our TV screens and social media screens sitting down and saying, "Hmmm that’s a very different viewpoint I haven’t considered. Maybe you have a point. Can you tell me more about that? Let's explore—maybe we can find a mutually beneficial solution here."
What Would Help?
One thing therefore that is really valuable is to see and learn more about real-life working models and demonstrations of trust-based and dialog-based team work.
I always deeply enjoy experiencing teams where the level of trust and communication is high. I’m fortunate to live as part of a conscious community and team at Clear Sky Retreat Center. I’ve had 20 years working with our head teachers and our local and international community in co-creating an awesome center and team. So I know directly that high trust and heartful communication is not just possible, but incredibly liberating and creative.
carrying on the conversation
If you're a visual learner, here's the video conversation with Christopher Lawley from the Conscious Transformation Collective in Calgary covering this theme.
What high trust teams do you know?
Are there teams and communities you work with that model this high level of trust, communication and collaboration? I’d love to learn more. How is it to be a part of that team? How was that level of trust create
Join Us in Calgary
If you're in Calgary, I'd love to continue this conversation in person on December 4th. We'll explore these challenges together, share stories and practical frameworks, and build community with others doing this work.
Building Conscious Community: From Resentment to Trust in Teams and Organizations
December 4, 2025 | 7:00-8:30 PM MT
Congress Coffee Company, Calgary
If you're leading a nonprofit struggling with trust and communication challenges, I'd welcome a conversation about how I might support your work. Get in touch.