“When people don’t speak up, it’s because there’s no trust. The team showed that they did not feel free to express their opinions.”

Tom describes working with a team that appeared to be performing well on the surface – they were reaching their goals and had processes in place. However, deeper observation revealed a troubling dynamic: a few dominant voices controlled discussions while half the team remained silent during ceremonies. Through one-on-ones, Tom discovered team members felt judged and unsafe to express their ideas. Using the Lencioni Pyramid as a framework, he helped the team address the fundamental lack of trust that was preventing constructive conflict and genuine collaboration.

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About Tom Molenaar

Tom is a team coach with a background in social psychology and behavioral influence. He is passionate about fostering collaboration, and helping teams flourish and achieve their potential. His approach blends insight, empathy, and strategy to cultivate lasting team success.

You can link with Tom Molenaar on LinkedIn.

The post Tom Molenaar: How to Spot and Fix Lack of Trust in Scrum Teams appeared first on Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast.

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Tom Molenaar: How to Spot and Fix Lack of Trust in Scrum Teams was first posted on September 30, 2025 at 10:05 am.
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