Building Trust and a Team Identity

Two foundational activities for effective teamwork include establishing trust and creating a team identity. In this module we address challenges to building trust and the importance of creating an atmosphere in which critical thinking and honest discourse are accepted norms. We also describe the value of creating a shared team identity, which includes addressing questions such as:

  • What is the team’s purpose?
  • What are the team’s core values?
  • How will team members interact with one another?
  • What value does the team provide to the larger organization?

In the pages below, we discuss the challenges involved in establishing each of these aspects of team identity and offer tips and strategies for building trust and creating a strong team identity for the planning team.