Company Connections: The Anatomy of Trust

Our Cohere team craves opportunities for connection. We know that being together builds trust, supporting our collaboration and making us stronger teams. Plus, it’s more fun.

Following our most recent All-Hands Meeting, a periodic virtual gathering used to foster connection and share notable company updates, the team asked for more opportunities to connect with one another across teams and regions. We are a team full of talented and passionate individuals and naturally, we want to know each other better. Despite the challenges that sprout from being virtual, we delivered. 

Randomized teams were asked to self-organize, watch and dissect Brené Brown’s Anatomy of Trust, an explanation of the seven elements of trust: Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Nonjudgement, and Generosity. Brown’s acronym BRAVING serves as a helpful checklist to break down the attributes of trust into specific behaviors, thus allowing us to more clearly recognize and deal with breaches of trust. 

The following themes were discovered in their findings: 

 

The Challenges of Trust

  • It can be easier to be trustworthy than trusting.  
  • As we age, we have life experiences that lead us to enter trusting relationships carefully and even hesitantly. 
  • Once someone breaks your trust, it can be difficult, sometimes impossible to earn it back. 
  • Trust can be built or destroyed at any time. ,It takes willingness, desire and generosity to build back that trust. 

 

Boundary Setting

  • Boundaries can look different for everyone. Most of us have a difficult time implementing them.  
  • Setting boundaries requires trust in yourself. 
  • It’s okay to say “no” if you don’t have the bandwidth. 
  • Be clear on your limitations so you protect yourself.

 

Consistency is Key

  • It’s important to apply the BRAVING acronym to both your work and personal life. 
  • BRAVING is the foundation for any strong relationship. 
  • Practice makes progress and ultimately makes all your relationships stronger. 

 

Accountability

  • Overcommitment is harmful to us and others. 
  • Be intentional and follow through with what you say you’re going to do.  
  • Actions and behaviors speak louder than words. 

 

Lead With Integrity

  • Practicing not just professing your values. 
  • Do what is right, not what is easy. 
  • Always start with generosity and curiosity toward others, not assumptions.