When trust runs deep, teams achieve something remarkable—they unlock a level of performance that fear-based management can never, ever touch. It’s the difference between building something that lasts and just hitting a short-term number. Let’s break down why this idea is so powerful.
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Meaning
At its heart, this quote means that a team grounded in genuine trust will always outperform a team driven by fear. Every single time.
Explanation
Okay, so let me tell you how I’ve seen this play out in the real world. Fear is a short-term motivator. It gets people to move, sure. But it makes them risk-averse. They hide mistakes, they point fingers, they play politics—all to avoid punishment. It creates a ceiling. A low one.
But deep trust? That’s a completely different environment. It’s the foundation for psychological safety. When that exists, people aren’t afraid to propose a crazy idea that might just be the next big thing. They admit a small error before it becomes a catastrophic failure. They have each other’s backs. That’s when you see teams achieve things that, from the outside, look like magic. They rise *so much higher* because the trust gives them a launchpad, while fear just keeps them trapped on the ground.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Relationship (329) |
| Topics | fear (92), teamwork (31), trust (147) |
| Literary Style | poetic (635) |
| Emotion / Mood | inspiring (392), reassuring (55), warm (182) |
| Overall Quote Score | 85 (305) |
Origin & Factcheck
This gem comes straight from Simon Sinek’s 2019 book, The Infinite Game. You’ll sometimes see powerful quotes like this misattributed to other leadership gurus, but this one is authentically Sinek, building on the ideas he’s famous for.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Simon Sinek (207) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Infinite Game (60) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Simon Sinek champions a leadership philosophy rooted in purpose, trust, and service. He started in advertising, then founded Sinek Partners and gained global attention with his TED Talk on the Golden Circle. He advises companies and the military, writes bestselling books, and hosts the podcast “A Bit of Optimism.” The Simon Sinek book list features Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together Is Better, Find Your Why, and The Infinite Game. He speaks worldwide about building strong cultures, empowering people, and leading for the long term.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | When trust runs deep, teams rise higher than fear could ever take them |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2019; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780735213500; Last edition: Penguin Random House 2019; Number of pages: 272 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 6: Trusting Teams, Approximate page from 2019 edition |