Which of the following is a symptom of absence of trust in a team?

• A. Willingness to be vulnerable
• B. Proactively asking for help
• C. Openly admitting mistakes
• D. Conceal weakness and mistakes

Answer: (D)

Trust is what allows team members to feel safe being open about their limitations. When trust is present, people willingly be vulnerable, ask for help when needed, and openly admit mistakes because they know they won’t be harshly judged and will receive support. Conversely, concealing weaknesses and mistakes is a telltale sign that trust is missing—team members fear judgment or negative repercussions, so they hide issues instead of addressing them. The first three actions reflect a healthy level of trust and psychological safety, while the fourth signals the absence of it.