Building Trust at Work Starts with Everyday Actions

Teamwork is one of those things most of us instinctively believe in. Wins tend to feel better when they’re shared, and losses often feel heavier when we carry them alone. We talk about teamwork all the time at work, but we don’t always stop to look closely at what it really looks like in practice — day in and day out, especially during the less shiny moments.

On January 21, we spent an hour in conversation with Sami Jo Small, three-time Olympian and former goaltender for Canada’s national women’s hockey team. We talked about our beloved Canadian team, of course, but the conversation quickly moved into something that feels just as familiar off the ice: what it means to show up consistently and empathetically for your team at work.

One thing came through clearly. Trust doesn’t form all at once. It builds slowly, almost invisibly, through repeated actions over time. Preparation. Follow-through. Doing what you said you would do, even when no one is watching. Trust isn’t loud, and it doesn’t announce itself. It compounds.

“Once you write your name down to something, you owe it to yourself, and you owe it to your teammates around you to see it right through to the end.”

That mindset helps create stability within a team. When ownership is clear, expectations are communicated and standards are visible, people waste less energy second-guessing the work. They can focus on their responsibilities, knowing the people around them will do their part too.

Another theme that kept surfacing was accountability — not as pressure, but as something shared. Accountability is often framed as top-down or corrective. What Sami Jo described felt very different. It was mutual. Supportive. Rooted in the idea that everyone’s actions affect the group.

“That’s how teams are built. We reach out our hand and ask: how can I help?”

That simple question changes the tone entirely. It turns accountability into partnership. Standards stop feeling intimidating and start feeling collective. The goal shifts away from individual performance for its own sake and toward helping the team be its best.

One of the most honest parts of the conversation came when Sami Jo talked about how her role changed over time. Across multiple Winter Olympic Games, there were moments when she was front and centre — and others when she wasn’t. Those transitions weren’t always glamorous, but they were necessary.

What stood out wasn’t the visibility of her role, but how seriously she treated it, regardless of where she sat. The preparation was the same. The commitment stayed strong. And her trust in the team never wavered.

It was a reminder that confidence doesn’t always look like being in the spotlight. Sometimes it looks like knowing where you’re needed and showing up fully in that role. Strong teams create space for people to contribute in different ways, at different moments, without diminishing their value.

There was also a recurring emphasis on reliability over standout moments. Big wins are memorable, sure, but they’re rarely accidental. They’re supported by people who show up consistently, communicate clearly and do the work even when it feels routine.

“What does my team need to be the best they can be? And how can I be the best teammate to the people around me?”

That sense of responsibility sustains teams over time. It creates momentum that doesn’t rely on individual heroics, but on a collective willingness to do what’s needed.

Toward the end of the conversation, Sami Jo spoke about motherhood and what it means for kids to see their parents pursue something that matters deeply to them. Not in a way that competes with family, but in a way that models commitment, resilience and passion.

“Mommy has this dream. And someday, I want you to feel like you can pursue your dreams. So I want you to watch me as I pursue mine.”

It was a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about outcomes or achievements. It’s about setting an example. The way we show up — with intention, honesty and follow-through — teaches others far more than what we say.

Our conversation with Sami Jo reinforced something we see every day. Teamwork isn’t about big moments or elite performance. It’s about consistency. It’s shaped by daily habits, strengthened through trust and sustained by people who choose to show up for one another, even when the work is unglamorous or unseen.

We believe strong teams aren’t built overnight, and they aren’t built alone. They’re built through everyday actions, shared accountability and a willingness to fully own your role, whatever that looks like in a given season. When people show up with care and clarity, trust grows. And over time, that trust becomes the foundation for teams that truly work well together.

If you’re thinking about how to strengthen trust or collaboration on your team this year, we’re always happy to be part of that conversation.