Are you looking to build trust within your teams? 

Do you want to know the best **trust exercises** to foster a strong team? 

[Trust is the cornerstone of any successful team](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/what-is-social-health), whether it’s a team of colleagues at work or a team of students at school. 

According to a study done by Watson Wyatt, companies that have [high trust are 300% better performing](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D12AQHTYQ4fim3H9Q/article-cover_image-shrink_600_2000/0/1520184148453?e=2147483647&v=beta&t=TSC9tN0R0Uc5LndZk9X0sRAiZy3fqtaHWGT4peJKsGo) than those with low trust levels.

To create a successful team, it is important to build a strong foundation of trust. This can be done through the use of **trust exercises**. 

**Trust building exercises** are activities that help a team to build trust, collaboration and understanding. They can take many forms; from physical activities to group discussions. 

**Trust building exercises for teams** are designed to help team members build relationships, learn to work together, understand each other better and [work in a healthy environment](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/ways-to-motivate-employees). 

In this blog post, we’ll be looking at 10 **fun trust exercises** that you can use with your team at work or school. 

We'll explore the advantages of incorporating **trust-building activities** for work or school, including remote teams. Additionally, we'll highlight the role of [online group therapy in fostering trust](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/online-group-therapy) and strengthening interpersonal bonds within these contexts.


By the end of this blog, you’ll have plenty of **trust exercises** to choose from for your team building activities. 

So let’s get started!

## What Are Trust Building Exercises?
Trust building exercises are activities that can help strengthen the bonds between individuals, teams, or entire organizations. 

They are designed to [help individuals and teams to increase their level of trust in each other](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/employee-engagement-and-motivation). 

They focus on enhancing communication, creating mutual understanding, and developing an atmosphere of support within the group. 

Trust exercises can be used in a variety of contexts, from [team-building activities in the workplace](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/anxiety-in-the-workplace) to activities in family or community settings. 

Trust exercises involve activities that help team members better understand each other, foster open communication, and develop a sense of understanding and collaboration. 

The activities are often tailored to meet the needs of the group, which can make them both fun and productive. 

Trust built through these exercises can help create an environment of cooperation, respect, and mutual understanding that can make any group stronger.

They are designed to help build mutual understanding, respect, and trust between participants, and can be used to resolve conflicts and foster strong, productive relationships. 

## Importance Of Building Trust Within Your Team
Trust is an important element of any successful team, and it is essential to build it if you want to have a successful and productive team. 

When a team trusts each other, they are more likely to collaborate effectively, communicate openly, and work towards a common goal. 

Harvard Business Review writes about a comparison between people at high-trust and low-trust companies. People at high-trust companies report: 
- 74% less stress
- 106% more energy at work
- 50% higher productivity
- 13% fewer sick days
- 76% more engagement
- 29% more satisfaction with their lives
- 40% less burnout.

These statistics in themselves are significant enough to work towards trust-building exercises for teams.

Without trust, teams can become dysfunctional and unproductive. Here we discuss the importance of building trust within your team.

### Improves Cooperation 
Building a trusting relationship among team members creates a sense of solidarity, which encourages cooperation and collaboration. 

When team members trust each other, it is easier to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and come up with innovative solutions to problems. 

This leads to improved teamwork and better overall results.

### Increases Productivity
Trust within a team leads to an increase in productivity, as team members feel comfortable taking risks and pushing themselves to be more creative and proactive. 

When team members trust their peers and feel supported, they are more likely to take initiatives and take on more responsibility, leading to significant improvements in productivity.

### Reduces Conflict
Trust creates a sense of harmony and reduces the amount of conflict within a team. 

When team members trust each other, they are more likely to communicate openly and honestly, allowing for productive and constructive dialogue. 

This helps team members to resolve conflicts quickly and effectively, avoiding potential disruption to the team’s progress.

### Better Decision-Making
Trust within a team leads to better decision-making. 

When team members trust each other and their judgment, they are more likely to come to an agreement and make decisions that are in the best interests of the team. 

This helps to ensure that decisions are well-informed and that the team moves forward in the right direction.

### Increases Morale
Trust between team members leads to increased morale and job satisfaction. 

When team members trust each other and feel valued, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. 

This leads to improved morale and higher levels of job satisfaction, [creating a positive working environment](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/healthy-work-environment).

### Increases Job Satisfaction
When team members trust each other, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job. This is because they feel supported, respected, and appreciated. 

Job satisfaction can have a positive impact on morale, leading to increased productivity and a more positive working environment.

### Fosters Open Communication
Trust between team members fosters open communication and encourages people to speak up and share their ideas. 

When people feel safe to express their opinions and ideas without fear of criticism or retribution, creativity and collaboration can flourish. 

Open communication also allows team members to voice any concerns they have, allowing the team to identify and address any issues quickly and effectively.

## What Are The Steps To Building Trust?
Building trust is an essential part of any successful relationship, whether it be in business, personal life, or any other form. 

But how do you build trust? It is not an easy task and requires dedication and effort from both parties. 

We need to look at the importance of communication, understanding, and commitment in the process of building trust. 

By understanding the steps involved in trust building, you can begin to build a foundation of trust and ensure that your relationships are long-lasting and meaningful.

### Establish Reliability 
The most basic step in building trust is to be reliable. This means being reliable in your word and your actions. When you say something, follow through. 

If you make a promise, make sure to deliver on it. Similarly, make sure that your actions are consistent with your words. 

This will help to establish a foundation of reliability and trust. 

### Be Transparent
Transparency is key to building trust. Being open and honest about your intentions, goals, and motivations will help to build a sense of trust with others. 

It is important to be transparent about the decisions you make and the reasons behind them. Additionally, it is important to be open to other’s perspectives and feedback.

### Communicate Effectively
Communication is an essential part of building trust. It is important to communicate effectively and frequently. 

This means using clear language and being open to honest dialogue. This can create a sense of understanding and trust between you and the other person.

### Show Empathy
Showing empathy is a great way to build trust. Relating to someone else’s perspective and feelings can help create a bond of trust. 

Understanding someone else’s feelings can help to create a sense of safety and security.

### Build Respect
Respect is an important component of trust. Treating others with respect and courtesy is essential in building trust. 

Acknowledge others’ ideas, opinions, and perspectives. Showing respect for one another can help to build trust and foster a sense of connection.

### Be Authentic
Being authentic is a great way to build trust. It is important to be genuine and honest in your interactions with others. 

Not only will this help to build trust, but it will also help to create a deeper connection between you and the other person.

## 10 Fun Trust Exercises To Try With Your Team At Work Or School

### Group Storytelling 
In this exercise, each person is given a sentence and must pass it around the circle until a story is created. 

This exercise helps build trust by demonstrating that the team can work together to create something unique.

This can be elevated to achieve much more than trust building using[ Kaya’s group mental health support led by licensed clinicians.](https://joinkaya.com/Home)

Facilitated by a team of professionals with over 50 years of cumulative experience, these sessions are scheduled as and when needed by you and your team and are a great way to connect and foster healthy relationships.

### Human Knot 
This trust activity has each participant stand in a circle, reach out and grab the hands of two different people, and then try to untangle themselves into a circle without letting go of their hands. 

This exercise helps build trust by requiring the participants to work together to solve the problem.

### Marshmallow Tower 
In this trust activity, each team is given a certain amount of time to build the tallest tower possible out of marshmallows and toothpicks. 

This exercise helps build trust by encouraging the participants to work together and brainstorm creative solutions to the challenge.

### Balloon Pass
In this trust activity, each team is given a balloon and must pass it around without using their hands. 

This exercise helps build trust by forcing the participants to rely on each other in order to complete the task.

### Trust Fall
This exercise involves one person standing in the middle of the circle and closing their eyes while the other participants form a circle around them. 

The person in the middle then falls backward trusting that the other participants will catch them. This exercise helps build trust by demonstrating that the team is there to support one another.

### Blindfold Walk 
In this exercise, each participant is blindfolded and must rely on their teammates to guide them through an obstacle course. 

This exercise helps build trust by demonstrating that the team is there to help each other and that each person can rely on their teammates to help them succeed.

### Follow the Leader 
In this exercise, each person takes turns to be the leader and the rest of the team must follow their instructions. 

This exercise helps build trust by demonstrating that team members are willing to follow each other’s lead and that each person can rely on their teammates for support.

### Telephone
In this trust activity, each person is given a phrase or sentence and must whisper it to the person next to them. 

The phrase or sentence then travels around the circle until it reaches the last person, who then repeats the phrase or sentence out loud. 

This exercise helps build trust by demonstrating that the team is able to pass along information accurately and efficiently.

### Line Up
In this exercise, each team is given a certain amount of time to line up in a certain order without speaking. 

This exercise helps build trust by demonstrating that the team can work together without verbal communication.

### Puzzle Challenge 
In this trust activity, each team is given a puzzle and must work together to complete it in a certain amount of time. 

This exercise helps build trust by demonstrating that the team can work together to solve a problem.

## Bonus 8 Trust Building Exercises for Remote Teams
There are a variety of remote team building activities that can be used to build trust and relationships within remote teams. 

These can include virtual scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms, trivia nights, or any other activity that encourages collaboration and teamwork.

### Remote Brainstorming 
This exercise helps to build trust within a remote team by allowing members to openly voice their ideas, opinions, and perspectives on a given topic. 

The team can brainstorm via a video conferencing platform, or through a message board or chat room. 

For example, the team could brainstorm ideas for a new product and share their individual thoughts and opinions.

### Virtual Coffee Breaks 
This trust exercise is not only a great way to build trust within remote teams, but also to foster a sense of camaraderie and team spirit. 

During virtual coffee breaks, team members can take a few minutes to chat about non-work related topics such as their families, hobbies, interests, or anything else that interests them. 

This provides a platform for members to get to know each other better and build relationships.

### Shared Reading
This exercise involves team members reading a book or article together and then discussing it with each other. 

This helps build trust and understanding between members, as they discuss the different perspectives and opinions they have formed while reading.

### Group Challenges
Group challenges are a great way to foster collaboration and trust within remote teams. 

Team members can be assigned a challenge and then work together to come up with a solution. This is a great way to build problem-solving skills, as well as trust and communication.

### Team Socials 
Organizing social activities for a remote team can be a great way to build trust and relationships. 

This could be a virtual game night, a movie night, or any other social activity that allows team members to connect and get to know each other better.

### Video Conferencing
Regular video conferencing is a great way to build trust and communication within remote teams. This can involve discussing work topics, or just chatting about non-work related topics. 

Video conferencing allows team members to connect face-to-face, which is important for building strong relationships.

### Pair/Group Discussions 
This exercise involves pairs or small groups of team members discussing a given topic. 

This is a great way to build trust and understanding between members, as they discuss different perspectives and opinions.

### Group Projects
Assigning group projects can be a great way to build trust within remote teams. By working together on a project, team members can learn to rely on each other and develop strong working relationships.

## [Take Your Company’s Mental Health to the Next Level](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/what-is-mental-fitness)
If you are looking to build trust within your teams and aim to provide a [safe space for your employees to share their experiences](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/work-life-balance-for-employees), schedule a demo with Kaya.

Working with Kaya will help [improve your company’s mental health](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/workplace-mental-health-culture/mental-health-in-the-workplace) wellnessby offering group [mental health support led by licensed clinicians](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/mental-health-at-work).

[Kaya](https://www.joinkaya.com/resources) fully customizes its experience for your organization’s needs to ensure the best possible positive [mental health culture](https://www.joinkaya.com/blogs/mental-health-and-culture). 

With more than 50 years of combined clinical experience, [Kaya professionals](https://www.joinkaya.com/home#) use a science-based and measurable curriculum to facilitate group sessions that focus on shared experience. 

Take the next step in uplifting your employees and curating the best experience for them [using Kaya’s flexible scheduling options](https://www.joinkaya.com/for-clinicians).

To get started, download the Kaya e-guide on [workplace mental health here](https://www.joinkaya.com/Resources).

## Conclusion
Trust is an important element of any successful team, and it is essential to build it if you want to have a successful and productive team. 

[Kaya Care](https://joinkaya.com/home) is one such solution to help foster trust within your teams and work towards a healthier and more productive work culture.

Trust fosters open communication, increases collaboration, increases job satisfaction, improves decision-making, and ultimately leads to improved team performance.

## FAQs

### What are the 5 C's of trust?
The five components of trust are care, communication, character, consistency, and competence.

### What are the 3 pillars of trust?
The three Pillars of Trust are ability, integrity, and benevolence.

Perfect for the workplace or school, trust exercises can help your team open up and build stronger relationships. 


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