Stop Waiting for Others to Go First—Your Shot of Fearless Culture #392
Where change agents find their weekly dose of culture insights and exercises, one topic at a time.
When was the last time you made the first move?
When trust is missing, everyone expects someone else to go first.
But here’s the pattern I often see with teams: When everyone waits for others to make the first move, nobody does.
Trust becomes pure quid-pro-quo—I'll give you something only after you give me something. Both groups end up modeling exactly what they wanted to avoid: distrustful relationships.
Most teams are betting on what they can get, not on their colleagues. They get stuck in the trust waiting game.
”I'll trust them when they prove they deserve it.”
”I'll share my concerns when I know they won't judge me.”
”I'll collaborate when they stop being so territorial.”
Sound familiar?
Treating trust as a currency doesn’t help—transactional trust promotes the very same distrust we’re trying to avoid.
What if we start treating trust as a cultural value? That’s my invitation to you this week.
Explore this week's newsletter:
My latest article → Why Authentic Trust Beats Transactional Trust Every Time
Practical tips and activities to honor grief while moving forward
Stay fearless, my friend.
Gustavo
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In Case You Missed It
→ Trust Under Siege: 5 Ways Culture Is Weaponized
Ask Your Team This
Do you think trust should be granted or earned?
⚠️ Try This
Take the First Step
Identify one colleague whom you've been waiting for to be more open or collaborative. This week, make the first move:
Share something you're genuinely struggling with and ask for their perspective
Admit where you need help instead of pretending you have it all figured out
Give them credit publicly for something they contributed (even if it wasn't perfect)
Ask their opinion on a decision you're facing
The goal isn't to get something back but to model the trusting behavior you want to see in others.
If you’re a team leader, encourage everyone to give it a try. If you’re a team member, you can even try it with your manager. Don’t expect the person with more status to take the first step.
🍦 Feed Your Curiosity
The Problem of Trust – why trusting strangers might be the logical thing to do
Transactional relationships: the link between reciprocity and connection
The three types of relationships, according to Aristotle
Building trusting relationships: opening up our concealed selves
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Designing a culture that drives the behaviors you actually need
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Gustavo Razzetti
CEO, Fearless Culture
Great insights, when it comes to culture the bystander effect only strengthens silos.