Shoulder to shoulder instead of face to face.

Sometimes the most important conversations don’t happen across a table or in an office.

They happen on a walk, a drive, in the gym, or playing a game like pool or table tennis.

People will often open up if they aren't feeling like they have to. Movement can unlock emotion.

In sport and business alike, we often think "If it's important, we need a meeting."
But for many, (especially boys and men) formal settings, eye contact, and pressure to "talk now" can be blockers, not bridges.

I’ve seen it time and time again:
The moment we shift the environment, the openness shifts too.

People feel safer when the pressure’s off.
Vulnerability often flows better when we’re shoulder-to-shoulder, not face-to-face.
Movement helps unlock emotion.

This isn't just soft stuff—it's performance culture.
Because when people feel safe to speak, trust grows. And when trust grows, teams win, on the pitch and in the boardroom.

Don’t underestimate the power of the informal.
Create spaces where conversation can breathe.
Make room for honest chats without an agenda.
That’s where the gold lives.

We can build trust by giving and expecting nothing in return. A friend of mine is a coach at a Premier League academy. There was one particular player that he found it impossible to speak to. The player appeared not to trust him. One freezing cold morning, the player had forgotten his gloves and was freezing cold. The coach offered his gloves to the player on the training pitch and that single act was enough to build trust going forwards.

This wasn't a forced gesture by the coach, it was natural and without wanting anything in return. People can spot genuine from a mile away.

Are you struggling with communication and trust with your staff members?