Unlock Collaboration with Innate Motivation

Why do teams say they want collaboration—yet default to caution, mistrust, and guarded communication?

In this episode of the Instinctive Drives Podcast, we unpack one of the most persistent workplace paradoxes: the gap between the desire for transformational collaboration and the reality of stalled projects and silent resistance. Through the lens of innate motivation, we reveal the seven fundamental human reasons mistrust is the default setting—from evolutionary survival instincts to past experiences, unclear roles, and unspoken differences in how people are wired.

Why New Teams Default to Mistrust

When new teams form – or the dynamics of existing teams shift with new members - it's very common for people to initially default to suspicion and mistrust, even if on the face of things there's positivity and camaraderie. Working with teams across the globe we've found that understanding the 'why' behind this default state is the first step to getting into action with ways to start rapidly building the trust critical to genuine collaboration.

Here's why:

1. Evolutionary Survival Mechanism

From a psychological and evolutionary standpoint, mistrust is a protective response. From this perspective, it's a smart place to start to avoid potential harm when faced with situations that bring us into contact with the unfamiliar.

2. Uncertainty and Lack of Familiarity

For many, interacting with strangers or unfamiliar colleagues may always come with a sense or uneasiness or anxiety. Without knowing - or getting a sense of - others' intentions, behaviors, or reliability, the default is to be cautious.

3. Different Backgrounds & Expectations

New team members often come with different experiences, communication styles, and work habits. Any of these can lead to judgement, create misunderstandings, and a questioning of people's motives.

4. Fear of Vulnerability

Sharing concerns or anything that could be perceived as weaknesses requires trust. In a new team, people may hesitate to open up until they feel safe. However, if steps aren't taken to accelerate this process events can play out that can be hard for relationships to recover from impacting all aspects of collaboration and delivery.

5. Unclear Roles & Goals

Without clarity on roles, responsibilities, and objectives, people may wonder who's accountable, who's trustworthy, or who might be in competition with them!

6. Past Negative Experiences

Previous bad experiences on other teams can cause people to be guarded or expect conflict as a default.

7. Lack of Social Bonds

Trust often grows from social connection - shared experiences, conversations, and informal interactions - which new teams haven't had time to build yet.