Traitors: The Perfect Anti-Lesson in Trust Culture
Are you one of the ten million Brits currently watching Traitors UK on BBC? Yeah, us too. And while we love the drama that comes along with the whole setup of the show, we can’t help but see it as one big anti-lesson when it comes to trust culture. The modern workplace culture is made up of so many things including wellness, community, employee experience, belonging, growth and so much more, and while those are very important elements, if they’re built on a foundation of mistrust, like we see in the show, even the strongest employee will crumble. So the question we’ve found ourselves asking is “What’s the impact of mistrust and what lessons can we take away from the show?” Full warning, spoilers ahead!
Decreased employee morale and engagement: We saw this initially when Traitors Paul and Harry first attempted to vote off Ash. Immediately all trust was broken and their kinship as “Traitors” was over - Ash didn’t have the motivation to play the game to the best of her ability. When employees feel they cannot trust their colleagues or leadership, it leads to a decrease in morale. A lack of trust can make employees feel insecure and undervalued, resulting in diminished engagement and a lack of commitment to the company’s goals.
Poor communication: The perfect example is the Round Table when Brian loses his mind. Brian’s a “Faithful” and yet he was so shaken by the mistrust in the room that his communication was terrible and he made himself look very guilty. Mistrust leads to poor communication within the organisation. Employees may be reluctant to share information, provide honest feedback, or report problems, fearing negative repercussions or that their contributions will not be valued. This can lead to critical information being withheld, which can be detrimental to decision-making and problem-solving processes aka a “Faithful” being banished.
Reduced productivity and performance: A mistrustful environment stifles innovation and hampers productivity. Employees are less likely to take initiative or engage in creative problem-solving if they fear their efforts will not be recognised or might even be met with hostility. This can significantly impact the performance and competitiveness of the company. We see this in season one when Alex and her boyfriend Tom come clean about being in a secret relationship. Once she feared she was going to be voted out for their deceit, she didn’t bother trying in the task.
Conflict and toxic work environment: This one is a given in a show like Traitors. We see episode after episode of people speaking to each other unkindly, behind their backs and in general creating a very negative energy. Mistrust can breed a toxic work culture characterised by conflict, blame-shifting, and unhealthy competition. Such an environment is not conducive to teamwork and can lead to internal strife, which diverts energy and attention away from productive activities.
Impact on innovation and growth: A lack of trust stifles creativity and innovation. Employees in a mistrustful environment are less likely to propose new ideas or approaches, limiting the company's ability to innovate and grow. We see this at every Round Table this season when the pack all seem to follow one person’s idea of who the Traitor is and all vote accordingly. This herd mentality stunts creativity and can leave the company at a disadvantage, especially in industries where innovation is key to staying competitive.
Impaired team dynamics: Trust is fundamental to effective teamwork. In its absence, teams can become disjointed and dysfunctional. People may work in silos, withhold information, or be unwilling to support each other, leading to poor team performance and missed opportunities. Basically, the whole premise of the show!
Leadership challenges: This “ugly duckling” rears its head anytime people are nominated as team leaders for tasks. For leaders, operating in an environment of mistrust is exceptionally challenging. It becomes difficult to motivate and guide teams, implement strategies, or drive change when there is a pervasive lack of trust in leadership. Leaders may also find themselves spending more time on conflict resolution and micromanagement instead of strategic planning and development.
Financial implications: Is it just us or does anyone think the prize fund is looking a little low the current season? Interesting why that is, could it be the culture of mistrust? All these factors – from high turnover to reduced productivity and potential legal issues – have direct financial implications. The cost of mistrust in an organisation can be substantial, affecting the bottom line and the overall financial health of the business (or prize fund).
In summary, a culture of mistrust can be extremely damaging to an organisation, but it can make for a great TV show. It erodes the foundation necessary for effective teamwork, innovation, and growth. Companies that recognise the signs of mistrust and take proactive steps to address and rebuild trust can mitigate these negative effects. The health and success of an organisation depend significantly on the trust established within its team, underscoring the critical importance of fostering a culture where trust is a cornerstone value. So let’s leave the backstabbing, accusations and negative language to the TV shows, hey?