Building Trust – Winning Teams

The Cornerstone of High-Performing Construction Teams

Trust is the foundation of any successful construction project. Without it, teams can’t collaborate effectively, schedules slip, and quality suffers. For years, I’ve seen the damage that distrust can cause, not just to the project but to the people involved. But here’s the good news: trust can be built, even when it seems impossible. This blog will show you how intentional actions, vulnerability, and consistent behavior can transform your team from dysfunctional to high-performing.

The Cost of a Distrustful Team

In the construction world, trust isn’t a luxury it’s essential. But there’s a real problem on many job sites: lack of trust. I’ve worked on projects where teams didn’t trust each other, where people went behind each other’s backs, or where communication was so fractured that it led to costly mistakes. When there’s no trust, collaboration turns into coordination, at best. Without trust, you’re not a team, you’re just a group of people working next to each other.

The real cost of distrust goes beyond the immediate project it affects morale, leads to mistakes, and creates a toxic culture. We’ve all seen it. We’ve all lived it. It’s easy to blame individuals when things go wrong, but the problem usually runs deeper: a system that hasn’t fostered trust.

Systemic Issues, Not People Problems

What’s the failure pattern that leads to this? It’s often rooted in a lack of transparency, inconsistency, and avoidance of hard conversations. When teams aren’t intentionally building trust, they end up working in silos. Miscommunication happens, mistakes snowball, and the project starts to feel like it’s slipping away from you. Leaders who fail to lead with integrity or transparency create a culture where trust can’t take root. The failure pattern isn’t about individuals it’s about the system not providing the tools to create an environment of trust.

Understanding the Real Struggles

I get it. Building trust is tough. I’ve been there, in teams where the atmosphere is anything but supportive. But here’s the thing: trust can be cultivated, even in challenging situations. I’ve seen it happen. The key is to start by acknowledging that trust isn’t automatic it’s something you build day by day. You have to be vulnerable and open, and that’s not always easy, especially when there’s a history of broken trust. But that vulnerability is the catalyst for change.

From Dysfunction to High Performance

Let me share a story that illustrates how trust can be built, even in the toughest situations. There was a project I worked on a few years ago a research lab two hours away from the main office. The team was new, with no history of working together. In fact, some of us didn’t even like each other. There was no trust to begin with. But over time, we began to turn things around, thanks to a project manager who led by example.

This project manager who I have a great deal of respect for demonstrated transparency like I had never seen before. He shared everything: emails, texts, decisions. He always did what he said he would do, even when it was difficult. At first, I didn’t trust him. It felt strange and uncomfortable. But slowly, his actions proved to me that I could rely on him. Over time, that transparency started to build trust between us, and eventually, trust started to grow within the entire team. We went from being a group of individuals to a unified, high-performing team.

Vulnerability is the Key to Trust

I can’t stress this enough: vulnerability is a key ingredient in building trust. And there’s no one who talks about vulnerability better than Brene Brown. I’ve read all her books, and they’ve had a huge impact on my approach to leadership and trust. In fact, the behaviors we exhibited on that project a culture of vulnerability, transparency, and accountability are directly aligned with Brown’s teachings.

In her work, she emphasizes seven principles to build trust, and I’ve seen them work firsthand. First, there’s boundary setting, which is crucial for collaboration. It’s about knowing and respecting each other’s limits. Then there’s reliability: doing what you say you’re going to do, no matter how small. Accountability is next acknowledging mistakes and fixing them instead of sweeping them under the rug. Vault closing refers to maintaining confidentiality and trust in handling sensitive information. Integrity comes next, and it’s about sticking to your values and never compromising them. Then, there’s being non-judgmental and generous in your approach to problem-solving and communication.

When these principles are consistently practiced, trust starts to grow. It doesn’t happen overnight, but with intentionality, it builds over time. And that’s the real magic of trust: it’s built in micro-actions, not grand gestures.

Four Key Principles to Build Trust

Over the years, I’ve refined the key principles that help build trust on construction teams. If you want to build trust, start with these four actions:

• Do What You Say You Will Do: Trust is built on integrity and consistency. When you follow through on your commitments, no matter how small, you prove that you can be relied upon.
• Micro Actions Matter: It’s the little things that add up. Show up on time, return calls promptly, and follow through on the small promises you make. These actions build trust incrementally.
• Be Transparent: Share information openly with your team. When you hide things, even small things, it undermines trust. Transparency creates an open environment where everyone feels included and informed.
• Be Vulnerable: Trust requires vulnerability. Show your team who you truly are. Admit your mistakes, ask for feedback, and be open to others’ ideas. Vulnerability fosters a culture of trust that grows organically.

These principles have helped me transform teams from dysfunctional to high-performing, and I know they can do the same for you.

How to Build Trust on Your Team

If your project needs superintendent coaching, project support, or leadership development, Elevate Construction can help your field teams stabilize, schedule, and flow. But building trust requires action on your part. Start by implementing these practical steps:

• Set Clear Expectations: Build trust by defining roles and responsibilities clearly. Make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them and what they can expect from others.
• Encourage Open Communication: Create an environment where feedback is welcomed and conflict is addressed constructively. When problems arise, tackle them as a team, not in isolation.
• Focus on Continuous Improvement: Trust is an ongoing process. Regularly check in with your team to ensure that the culture of trust remains strong. Make adjustments when necessary and always be looking for ways to improve.

By focusing on these areas, you can create a culture of trust that drives your project forward and ensures long-term success.

Elevate Construction’s Commitment to Building Trust

At Elevate Construction, we believe that the foundation of any successful project is trust. We work with teams to build systems that foster trust and communication, creating an environment where collaboration and performance thrive. Trust is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s the key to achieving project goals on time, within budget, and with quality.

A Challenge for You

Building trust is a challenge, but it’s one worth taking on. If you’re not intentionally creating trust on your project, it’s time to start. As Jason Schroeder always says, “Trust is the foundation of everything we do.” The question is: are you ready to do what it takes to build it?

FAQ

Why is trust so important on construction teams?
Trust is the cornerstone of collaboration. When trust exists, teams communicate better, solve problems faster, and deliver quality results on time and within budget.

How do you rebuild trust after it’s been broken?
Rebuilding trust starts with vulnerability and transparency. Acknowledge mistakes, follow through on commitments, and be open to feedback from your team.

What are some practical steps to build trust on a construction site?
Start by setting clear expectations, encouraging open communication, and leading by example. Focus on micro actions, be reliable, and create transparency in all decisions.