Last updated: August 2026
I once worked in a truly cohesive team, and I feel so fortunate to have had this experience. We worked hard, we loved working together, we had one another’s backs, and we trusted one another. This trust was 2 fold, on one-hand we trusted everyone to pull their weight and do their very best, but more importantly, we knew everyone was authentic, real, able to ask for help, and humble. We felt indestructible; we achieved amazing results, we had fun, we performed, and we were envied by others. We felt like this despite always being humble and vulnerable because we knew we needed one another. The incredible success we had came from working so well as a team; we were strong together but weak without every cog in the wheel.
Years later, as an L&D consultant and facilitator, I work with teams at all levels, in all types of organisations to help them to recreate this same level of success and cohesion. The truth is, cohesive teams are so rare!
Vulnerability-Based Trust in a Team
Over the years working with teams, I believe the main reason why teams succeed, and others don’t, is that the successful ones are able to build a high level of vulnerability-based trust.
As Patrick Lencioni says in his book, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” it is only when every single team player is willing to own up to his or her mistakes, shortcomings, and weaknesses that a team becomes truly cohesive. That is when great things happen, because the team goes to work to overcome the weaknesses together.
I see this same precious vulnerability displayed in my coaching work, when macho senior leaders admit their struggles, when team managers express their concerns and my children break down and tell me about one of their friends taunting them about the colour of their hair. Showing vulnerability, admitting a chink in the armour, a fault, at whatever age and in whatever circumstance is brave, even courageous. Showing vulnerability is not a weakness – conversely, it is a real strength.
As a leader, manager or team member, we all have faults. We are all human.
The Five Behaviours of a Cohesive Team
As an Authorised Partner of DiSC and The Five Behaviours of a Cohesive Team, we are able to offer you access to Patrick Lencioni’s programme entitled The Five Behaviours of a Cohesive Team to help you gain that true competitive advantage. Vulnerability-based trust is the cornerstone behaviour.
Once you have developed trust in your team, it’s time to work on the other behaviours: Conflict, Commitment, Accountability, and Results.
Take a look at the team assessment profiles, team profile and progress report: https://thefruitfultoolbox.com/teams-individuals/five-behaviours-of-a-cohesive-team-profiles-reports/
Ready to set the foundations for a cohesive team and add the Five Behaviours to your toolbox? Contact the Fruitful Team:
hello@thefruitfulgroup.com
01527 888946
