As shared in the first blog of this series, when it comes to building conscious teams, awareness is just the beginning. What happens next - how we take responsibility, speak truthfully, and stay connected through discomfort - shapes the trust and flow we experience together.
Too often, we avoid tension in favour of surface harmony. We hold back sharing what’s really happening for us to keep the peace. But in doing so, we limit what’s possible.
Conscious teams don’t aim for comfort. They commit to honesty - grounded in care.
Owning Your Part
When conscious teams experience challenging dynamics, before we point outward, we turn inward. Owning our part means looking at how we might be contributing to the dynamic - through our assumptions, reactions, or what we’ve left unsaid. It’s the shift from “Why are they doing that?” to “What’s going on for me right now?”
This kind of self-inquiry clears the way for real dialogue. When we take personal responsibility for our inner experience, we’re more able to speak up without blame - and stay in connection, even when it’s hard.
Speaking Up, Staying In
Speaking up doesn’t mean lashing out or waiting to have it all figured out - it means being willing to name what’s real, with care and curiosity.
Teams grow stronger when it feels safe to speak the truth - even when it’s messy or uncomfortable. Our greatest possibilities and breakthroughs often live on the other side of our greatest vulnerabilities.
This could sound like:
- “I think there’s something we haven’t said - can we name it so we can move forward?”
- “It feels like we’re a bit stuck - can we check in as a team?”
- "That didn’t land well - can we talk about it together?”
- “I’m noticing some tension - can we take a moment to name what’s going on?”
- “This feels a little uncomfortable, but I think it’s important we stay with it.”
- “We might not say this perfectly, but let’s be honest about what’s really going on for each of us.”
Small moments of truth-telling can shift the tone of a conversation or relationship. Over time, they help build trust and create space for real progress.
Simple Practices for Conscious Teams:
Start with one thing: Invite openness with prompts like, “Is there something we haven’t said yet?”
Speak from experience: Use “I” statements to share what’s real for you without blaming others.
Pause when it matters: Take a breath before responding - especially when things feel charged.
Stay in it together: Remind the team it’s okay not to get it perfect - it’s the staying that counts.
Acknowledge the effort: Notice when someone leans into honesty, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Come back to care: Keep the relationship at the centre, especially in tough conversation.
The Heart of a Conscious Team
Conscious teams are not perfect - they’re real. They stay curious in challenge, take ownership, and speak with care and honesty. They understand that discomfort is part of the work - and trust is the reward when we lean in and stay in.
Curious Reflection:
- What conversations are you avoiding?
- Where might more honesty unlock more connection?
- What helps you stay open and curious when you feel defensive or misunderstood?
- Where could your team practise being more honest and more kind at the same time?
In our last blog of this series, we’ll look at how conscious commitments and shared agreements create clarity, alignment, and room to grow - together.
Images by Michael Tucker, Lina Bob and Leire Cavia on unsplash
