Jack Nehlig and Trevor Robinson tackle the real challenges of teamwork and trust with practical wisdom and relatable stories in this episode of “Hey Jack.” Whether you’re a manager, team member, or aspiring leader, these discussions offer clear guidance for improving team culture and results. The episode focuses on three main points: the importance of trust as the foundation for all teamwork, the need for intentional team structure, and the positive impact of encouragement and morale. These themes equip readers to create teams that not only meet goals but enjoy the process together.
Building True Trust in Teams
Trust, according to Jack Nehlig, is the unsung hero behind successful collaboration. He draws an analogy to contracts in our personal and professional lives, stating, “The ultimate contract is no contract at all. It’s just trust.” This goes beyond paperwork or formalities—real trust means believing that team members will support each other without constant oversight. Nehlig warns that a lack of trust often results in micromanagement, a scenario where “employees feel their boss thinks they’re not being trusted to do their job,” leading to lower performance and morale. In contrast, environments built on trust empower people to work quickly, take reasonable risks, and learn from their experiences. Trevor Robinson adds that seeing trust in action not only raises spirits but also inspires more innovation within organizations. The hosts emphasize that every effective leader should strive to build trust first, setting a tone of openness and reliability that permeates the entire team.
Setting Up Structure for Better Results
While trust is the invisible glue, Nehlig insists that successful teams also need clear, defined structure. He recounts how certified project managers use vision statements, charters, set meeting rhythms, and laid-out plans to guide large initiatives. “The more well structured a team, the better they perform,” he states, underscoring the role of intentional planning. Even in smaller groups, providing clarity on roles, timelines, and processes prevents miscommunication and keeps everyone on track. Nehlig is transparent about his own missteps: “I pulled the team together and just talked about what we were gonna accomplish, just the end goal, and didn’t build the structure. And I can tell you I felt horrible about my leadership of those teams.” Structure doesn’t mean rigidity; instead, it offers the consistency and direction needed for creativity and independent work to blossom. Leaders and team members alike can benefit from taking time to define expectations, decision-making authority, and regular check-ins—creating an environment where people understand both their autonomy and responsibilities.
Positivity: Sustaining Energy and Resilience
The power of encouragement and morale rounding out the episode’s lessons. Nehlig brings sports into the conversation, contrasting negative reinforcement (“do your job”) with the collective encouragement he sees in women’s collegiate volleyball. “When the ball hits the floor on a team’s side… they immediately come together in a huddle… I think they’re saying positive things like, we got this next point. Don’t you worry. I got your back.” This approach helps teams quickly recover from failure, restore focus, and maintain high performance. Leaders build lasting team energy by fostering a positive climate where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, not reasons for blame. The memorable story of geese flying in a V illustrates this beautifully: “The reason they’re always honking when they fly by… it’s the other geese are cheering on the leader… giving them positive reinforcement.” Positivity is not just about good vibes—it’s a practical ingredient that drives teams through difficulties and toward shared wins.
Key Quote From The Episode
“If trust is the ultimate contract in a relationship between two people, then it goes that it would probably be the best underpinning of high performing teams if you could get all the members of the team to trust each other and behave in a highly trustworthy way.” – Jack Nehlig
Key Takeaways
Trust is the real contract between team members, enabling smoother collaboration and growth.
- Structure eliminates confusion and supports organized, effective teamwork, even in fast-paced environments.
- Consistent positivity helps build resilience, allowing teams to recover and learn from setbacks gracefully.
Wrap Up
Strong teams don’t happen by accident. Establishing real trust, building sensible structure, and encouraging positivity are three proven steps for any leader or member seeking better teamwork. Trust removes the need for overbearing oversight and lets people take initiative. Structure provides a roadmap for success, ensuring that everyone understands their role and the larger objectives. Positivity creates a climate where challenges are learning opportunities and every member feels valued.
Actionable steps for readers:
- Start conversations about trust, openly share expectations, and follow through on commitments.
- Define and document a simple team process or agreement—even a basic meeting schedule or clear decision path can provide stability.
- After setbacks, focus on constructive feedback and positive reinforcement, supporting teammates through challenges.
By making these adjustments, anyone can help their group become more productive, innovative, and enjoyable to work with.
