VENTURING
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
COURSE
Session IV: Synergism
Trust Circle
Synergism Module 1
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session each participant
should be able to:
• Understand the need for trust in any
group setting.
• Feel a greater sense of teamwork within
the group.
• Feel more confident about their role in
the group.
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Trust Circle Rules
• We are going to learn about trust and its
importance in leadership.
• This is a serious activity.
• Trust must be maintained at all times.
• No horseplay or fooling around is
allowed.
• Anyone who wishes may decline to fall.
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Trust Circle Procedure
•
No action begins until signals are
given.
• No bantering between participants.
• Faller is not to move his or her feet.
1. Faller says “Ready to fall”
2. Spotters say “Fall away”
3. Faller says “Falling”
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Synergism
Reflection Questions
• What went through your mind the first time you fell?
• Was it easy to trust in this situation?
• Were some people in the circle easier to trust than
others?
• Where role were you comfortable in, faller or spotter?
Why?
• What does building relationships of trust have to do
with leadership?
• Is true leadership really possible without trust?
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Synergism
“One of the most important ways to
manifest integrity is to be loyal to
those who are not present. In doing
so, we build the trust of those who are
present. When you defend those who
are absent, you retain the trust of
those present.”
Stephen R. Covey
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Emotional Bank Account
• We make deposits in a financial bank
account to build up a reserve and make
withdrawals when we need money.
• An emotional bank account is the
amount of trust that’s been built up in a
relationship.
– How can we make deposits?
– How do you make withdrawals?
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Emotional Bank Account
Deposits
1. Courtesy
2. Kindness
3. Honesty
4. Keeping
Commitments
Withdrawals
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Discourtesy
Disrespect
Cutting others off
Overreacting
Ignoring others
Becoming
Confrontational
7. Betraying your trust
8. Threatening
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Effects on Trust
• When you make deposits and your
account trust level is high, others trust
more and communication is easy,
instant, and effective.
• When you make withdrawals eventually
your trust level gets very low and
communication with others becomes
very hard.
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Synergism
Reflection Questions
How can you improve as a Venturing
Crew in your relationships with
each other?
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