Building Trust With New Teams w/ Joy Adamson

In this episode of the Product Weekend Podcast, host Joao Moita welcomes Joy Adamson, a seasoned leadership coach with years of experience in the development of psychologically safe environments within teams. With her extensive experience in fostering empathy, enabling open dialogue, and driving innovation, Joy shares valuable insights on the importance of trust in product teams. The discussion delves into practical strategies for creating an inclusive and high-performing workplace while exploring the critical role that psychological safety plays in unlocking team potential. Key Takeaways Understanding Psychological Safety: Joy explains that psychological safety is the freedom to voice ideas without the fear of judgment or negative consequences, fostering open discussions among team members. Building Trust is Essential: Trust acts as a foundation for psychological safety; without it, team members may hesitate to share their thoughts or concerns, hindering collaboration and innovation. Cultural Sensitivity Matters: Joy emphasizes the importance of recognizing cultural differences when building trust, as people's backgrounds can greatly impact their comfort in expressing vulnerability or participating in discussions. Absorbing and Learning First: When new to a team, it’s vital to take time to observe and understand existing dynamics before attempting to enact change. Building credibility with actions fosters trust. The Power of Small Talk: Investing time in informal interactions, such as small talk, can significantly enhance relationship building and trust among team members, leading to a more cohesive work environment. Quick Wins vs. Long-Term Goals: Leaders should balance achieving quick wins with focusing on long-term strategic goals to maintain momentum and demonstrate progress to the team. Healthy Conflict as a Positive Sign: Joy argues that having healthy, respectful conflicts within teams shows that there is psychological safety, as it indicates team members feel comfortable voicing differing opinions. Vulnerability in Leadership: Leaders should model vulnerability and openness to create an environment where team members feel safe to do the same, thereby enhancing collaboration. Dive into this episode for actionable insights on building trust and psychological safety in your teams! Timestamps: 00:00 Coming Up 02:54 Joy's Background 04:58 Transition to Product Management 10:09 Agile Transformation Experience 17:53 Cultural Differences Impacting Collaboration 26:25 Addressing Conflict in Teams 37:39 Building Trust in Multicultural Teams 49:30 Balancing Quick Wins and Long-Term Goals 51:56 Closing Reflections