What do you do if trust is lacking in your project collaboration?
Trust is the cornerstone of any successful project collaboration. When it's missing, it can lead to misunderstandings, decreased productivity, and a toxic work environment. As a project manager, you're tasked with the challenge of identifying trust issues and implementing strategies to rebuild it. This doesn't just mean fostering a sense of camaraderie; it requires concrete steps to create transparency, ensure accountability, and promote open communication. Addressing the lack of trust head-on is not just about salvaging a single project; it's about setting a precedent for future collaborations and maintaining a healthy work culture.
Before taking action, you need to understand the extent of the trust issues within your team. Start by having one-on-one conversations to gather insights into the team's concerns and perceptions. This will help you pinpoint the root causes of distrust, be it a lack of transparency, inconsistent communication, or unfulfilled commitments. Remember to approach these discussions with empathy and an open mind. The feedback you receive is essential for crafting a tailored approach to mend the collaboration.
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It’s critical to create shared norms across the team. Never assume what was said prior to the team’s formation applies to new projects. People bring their uniqueness to each meeting. Trust on a team means there’s space for people who want to be authentic to do so without judgment. Continue to assess your norms so your team can grow.
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Trust is earned. Therefore, say what you mean and mean what you say. If you make a mistake, own it. If a team member contributes, give credit where it is due. This is how to develope trust among the team. If there is trust lost, learn why. Where is the mistrust originating and show through action to earn it back
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If trust is lacking in my project collaboration, focus on open communication, transparency and consistency to rebuild it. Encourage honest conversations, address concerns promptly and lead by example to demonstrate trustworthiness. Foster a supportive environment where team members feel valued and respected, fostering trust over time. 🔍🤝🗣️
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When trust is lacking in project collaboration, it's essential to address the issue proactively to foster a more positive and productive working environment. Start by identifying the root causes of the trust issues. Is there a history of communication breakdowns, missed deadlines, or conflicting priorities? Understanding the underlying reasons for the lack of trust can help guide the resolution process. Communication plays a crucial role in building trust within a team. Encourage open and honest communication among team members, providing opportunities for everyone to express their concerns and viewpoints. Actively listen to each team member's perspective and address any misunderstandings or conflicts promptly.
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Focus on building the trust by eliminating parameters of distrust. This way, one can build long term unbreakable trust and strive towards excellence.
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When trust is lacking in project collaboration, it's important to prioritize open communication and transparency. Initiate discussions to address concerns or misunderstandings among team members. Building trust takes time, so focus on consistently delivering on promises and being reliable. Encourage teamwork and emphasize shared goals to foster trust. Actively listen to team members' feedback and concerns, and work to resolve conflicts promptly. Building a positive and supportive team culture is essential for rebuilding trust and improving collaboration.
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If trust is lacking in your project collaboration, it's crucial to address it promptly. Start by fostering open communication, acknowledging concerns, and identifying the root cause. Build relationships, set clear expectations, and lead by example to demonstrate trustworthiness. Address issues promptly and establish boundaries to maintain professionalism. Seek external mediation if necessary and celebrate successes to reinforce positive behaviors. Trust is the foundation of successful collaborations, and rebuilding it requires proactive effort from all team members.
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Trust is culture and a high performing organisation needs to build this bottom up. 1. Engage professionals if needed to foster culture of trust. Let them asses the needs and come up with actions 2. Encourage collaboration within team. Make collaboration quotient (CQ) a KPI under part of annual performance review program. This helps in improving trust significantly 3. Do open house, all hands meet etc to give employees chance to ask questions, raise their concern freely without fear of being taken to task by their supervisors. 4. Share success, give credit....even smallest of achievements and recognise efforts of employees.
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To address a lack of trust in project collaboration, start by openly discussing concerns with team members to understand underlying issues. Assess communication patterns, clarify expectations, and promote transparency in decision-making processes. Implement regular check-ins and feedback mechanisms to build trust over time through shared accountability and consistent actions.
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Transparency is fundamental in any project. Not only within the team but also with stakeholders. Meetings must be held frequently, reports must be sent and documentation must be left available so that doubts can be clarified.
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If trust is lacking at the beginning of project, well it’s part of the team evolution and understandable. However, If trust is lacking deep in the project, just consider hiring a team coach.
Once you've identified the trust issues, it's crucial to set clear expectations for all team members. This involves defining roles, responsibilities, and the standards of behavior expected from everyone involved in the project. Establishing these guidelines helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that each member knows what is required of them. It's also important that you, as the project manager, lead by example and adhere strictly to these expectations to reinforce their importance.
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Set clear expectations upfront: -> Goals, deliverables, scope. -> Roles & responsibilities. -> Deadlines & milestones. -> Communication & updates. -> Budget & resources. Set a kickoff meeting, project plan and regular updates.
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Address the issue openly and directly with your collaborators to understand their concerns and work towards rebuilding trust through transparent communication and consistent follow-through on commitments.
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Share goals and purposes of each one of team members and stakeholders in order to have clear understanding about what can be built together.
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It is best to establish clear objectives and expectations; periodic meetings must be held to check the progress of the project and resolve doubts about the objective that must be achieved.
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1. Clearly define the project goals, timelines, and deliverables. 2. Establish individual roles and responsibilities to provide clarity and ownership. 3. Discuss and agree upon the standards of performance and quality expected from each team member. 4. Ensure everyone understands the communication protocols, meeting schedules, and decision-making processes. 5. Document these expectations and make them accessible to all team members for reference and accountability.
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Yes. Set goals and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team members. They should be reassured that without them, there is no team. Each part has a role to play in the body.
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After pinpointed the trust issues, the next step is to establish crystal-clear expectations for everyone on the team. This means laying out roles, responsibilities, and the behavior standards expected from each member involved in the project. By setting these guidelines, we can avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone understands their part. As the project manager, it's crucial for me to lead by example and stick to these expectations rigorously to underscore their significance.
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Clarity in roles, target and expectations , for example by using KPIs OKRs and other metrics, may for sure be helpful. In doing this you'll probably deal with scarsity of resources that every PM experiences.
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Develop a project charter or project management plan that clearly outlines project objectives, roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all team members. Ensure alignment with organizational policies and standards to establish a common understanding of project goals and deliverables.
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Set expectations in writing and build systems for as much as possible to be documented in writing where anyone can see it (copy them on emails, have them in the same group thread etc). Esp when expectations are set in writing, everyone is very clear on what they specifically need to deliver and are automatically accountable. Saboteurs also become accountable because they have either not delivered something they were assigned or have interfered somewhere unnecessarily
Improving communication is vital in rebuilding trust. Encourage regular updates and open dialogue among team members. This could mean scheduling more frequent meetings or using collaborative tools that allow for transparent sharing of information. The goal is to create an environment where team members feel comfortable voicing their opinions and concerns, knowing that they will be heard and addressed appropriately.
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Bla bla bla, the only way to enhance communication is to prove to people that you are listening to them. And that things are improving due to the communication. Has nothing to do with a lot of emails or useless calls where everyone gets bored. Try to talk to people only when is necessary and don't bore them with corporate useless stuff.
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Implement a communication management plan to facilitate regular and transparent communication among team members. Utilize various communication channels such as meetings, emails, and collaboration tools to ensure information is shared effectively and timely. Encourage active listening and provide opportunities for feedback to foster a culture of open communication.
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1. Establish a rapport with employees 2. Build trust with employees 3. Meet regularly with your employees 4. Provide enough context around assignments 5. Really listen to employees 6. Avoid making assumptions 7. Learn employee strengths & weaknesses 8. Learn employee communication styles
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I would disagree with “scheduling more meetings” , I would rather improve dashboards and leverage nowadays follow up tools to track activities and make sure that they are done and on time,, frequent meetings could waste a lot of time. Don't get me wrong, meetings should be there whenever really needed .
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Enhancing communication builds a trust. It paves the way to create mutual understanding between team members by bridging the trust issues.
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An interesting tool that reinstalls trust is to invite the team to a team building. Team building designed and organised with a free and collaborative spirit and without psychological barriers. Opportunity to get closer to the team and know them well and know their concerns and this is the framework to strengthen the collaborative spirit between team members and gain trust between members
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In my experience, trust is vital for collaboration & cooperation to achieve the project goals; the approach that worked is to open up enhanced and more communication (sometimes even over communication) that helps break barriers and infuses all that is needed to align teams!
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Enhancing communication is key to rebuilding trust within the team. I'll promote regular updates and open dialogue among team members, whether it's through scheduling more frequent meetings or utilizing collaborative tools for transparent information sharing. The aim is to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions and concerns, with the assurance that they'll be listened to and dealt with accordingly.
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Constraints might limit your time to speak. Demonstrate engagement and maximize value from the conversation by actively listening and asking clarifying questions.
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This needs to be both virtual and physical. Physically especially it's important to gather so that dynamics can form and trust can be built. Regular physical meetings also provide the opportunity to go over written expectations in person and address any misunderstandings.
To foster trust, it's essential to implement accountability measures. This means establishing a system where team members are held responsible for their tasks and outcomes. It could involve setting up milestones, regular check-ins, and feedback sessions. When people are accountable for their work, it not only increases trust among colleagues but also boosts individual ownership and pride in their contributions.
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Accountability & ownership is a comprehensive approach to maintaining trust and team dynamics throughout a project's lifecycle. It's crucial to regularly evaluate trust-building efforts and adapt strategies to ensure sustained collaboration and effectiveness.rather each member should feel the pulse of the work & should take up work like his own this improve learning & can contribute significantly to long-term success.
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I completely agree. Trust is the most important factor in any project. If any party involved, including the client, lacks trust, it is essential to first determine whether they have fulfilled their obligations. By measuring their performance against agreed-upon metrics, we can objectively assess whether their concerns are valid. This allows us to identify the root cause of any issues - whether they are actual problems with the project or simply misperceptions held by team members or the client. With this information, we can then take appropriate action to address the situation effectively.
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A clear project with actions, milestones and kpis makes it easy to highlight the responsibilities of each of the team members. The team will organise accordingly and everyone will have their actions with achievement milestones and kpis. The leader must hold project follow-up meetings. But the leader must support the team members in the completion of the actions for which they are responsible otherwise confidence will be lost. The leader must have the spirit of listening to his collaborators. In that way accountability will be a tool to motivate team members to accomplish their goals.
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Accountability measures are essential for building trust in communication within a project. Encourage honesty and integrity in all communications and hold individuals accountable for communicating openly and honestly. Conduct performance evaluations to assess individual performance, address any concerns, and recognize achievements.
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Accountability is the secret sauce that transforms a group of individuals into a high-performing team. 🚀 Here’s why it matters: Clear Expectations: 🎯 When team members know what’s expected of them (thanks to milestones and regular check-ins), they step up their game. It’s like having a roadmap to success! 🗺️ Ownership and Pride: 💪 Accountability breeds a sense of ownership. When you’re responsible for outcomes, you pour your heart and soul into the work. 🌟 And that pride? It’s contagious! 🙌
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That's the first thing as a manager I will do.Will have to understand the root cause of it & then only can act on it.For that the other must consider you safe & trust worthy before opening up.
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Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and establish performance measurement criteria to monitor team members' accountability. Implement a performance management system to track progress, identify issues, and address deviations from the project plan. Hold team members accountable for meeting their commitments and provide support or corrective actions as needed.
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Criar uma matriz de responsabilidade para cada setor tentando abranger toda a responsabilidades de cada um em seu setor e se houver novidades informar ao supervisor responsável para que ele defina o que e melhor para a empresa.
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To improve the trust in project collaboration, proactive measures are essential. Start by understanding the root causes through open conversations. Set clear expectations, enhance communication channels, implement accountability measures, and foster rapport among team members to rebuild trust and ensure project success.
Personal connections can greatly enhance trust within a team. Take the time to organize team-building activities that are not necessarily work-related. These can range from casual coffee breaks to more structured team outings. The aim is to create opportunities for team members to bond and understand each other beyond professional roles, which can translate into stronger collaboration during the project.
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Engagement with the team will help to build rapport and eventually the trust. To discuss with the team members other than the work related stuff will make one bonded to each other and boost the team loyalty.
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Reza Tashtboland
Digital Transformation Manager | Project Manager | Agile Coach | Software Architect
Build rapport among team members when trust is lacking in project collaboration. Encourage open communication, active listening, and empathy to foster trust and mutual respect. Organize team-building activities or informal gatherings to improve interpersonal relations and develop a positive working environment. In so doing, you set up rapport-building efforts for trust to develop naturally, enhancing collaboration and ultimate success of a project.
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Building rapport is essential when dealing with trust. Rapport building can be done by addressing concerns directly and promptly, clarifying expectations by being clear to minimize misunderstandings and seeking and giving feedback to identify areas of improvement and celebrations.
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I think a team should meet outside of office walls at least once a month. This kind of events are occasions to know each other better and remove some constraint that office hours could put on.
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Authenticity and open communication, conveyed with respect, are something fundamental in nurturing rapport within a team. Also, proactively extending support when needed, or openly seeking assistance helps in building trust among the team members.
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As a leader and team leader, we will start by making an assessment of the objectives and their impact on the project. Then I'd do some introspection to make sure I didn't fail as a chef. Then I will organize a working session with the team in order to make the SWOT matrix which would lead them to subtly say what discouraged them. From this moment on, we will take measures together in a participatory way as much as possible.
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Employ team-building activities and techniques to foster trust and collaboration among team members. Organize team-building workshops, social events, or virtual meetups to promote camaraderie and strengthen relationships. Encourage peer recognition and celebrate team achievements to reinforce a positive team culture.
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We can also take into consideration cultural differences in the way we collaborate. Per exemple in a collectiviste society, personal connections are a prerequisite to good cooperation. And in an individualistic society, the cooperation is more process oriented.
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I believe it's vital to implement team building activities to any team project. Doing so will help the group move through the storming, norming and forming phases and get to the performing phase more quickly.
Finally, addressing and resolving conflicts promptly is key to maintaining trust. Ignoring issues or allowing them to fester can erode trust quickly. Develop a conflict resolution plan that is fair and transparent, ensuring that all parties feel their voices are heard and respected. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to a harmonious and trusting team environment.
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What I usually do is put together a fair and transparent conflict resolution plan. This makes sure everyone involved feels like they're being heard and respected. It's all about being proactive. Showing you're committed to sorting issues and maintaining a peaceful team vibe goes a long way in keeping everyone on board and trust levels high.
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Approaching Stake holders, understanding their functionality and strength as well as limitations can be helpful to Collaborate and arrive to right solutions in best interest of project. This strengthens the team and helps to build a strong rapport amongst members.
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I agree with this statement, project leader has to develop a conflict resolution skills. It’s normal that conflict appears between team members in some projects. Specially in a complex project.
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Apply conflict resolution techniques to address trust issues and resolve conflicts within the project team. Utilize negotiation, mediation, or arbitration methods to facilitate constructive dialogue and reach mutually acceptable solutions. Document conflict resolution processes and lessons learned to prevent similar issues in the future.
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It is very important conflicts solve because lowering diferences in involved groups. Increase confidence between people and increase collaboration
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Transparency and open communication are Key points. Encourage team members to express concerns freely, establish clear expectations to rebuild trust and ensure project success.
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Encourage open and honest dialogue between the parties to understand the root causes of the conflict. Allow each party to share their perspectives, concerns, and feelings without interruption. Help the parties shift their focus from defending their positions to understanding each other's underlying interests and needs. Clarify any misunderstandings or miscommunications that may have contributed to the conflict. Take proactive steps to rebuild trust among team members.
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Mutual communication to all stakeholders and listen their constraints try to solve their conflicts it can easily impact on project completion in time.
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To resolve conflicts effectively: Assess the Situation: Identify the root causes and the perspectives of all parties involved. Open Communication: Encourage honest dialogue, active listening, and ensure everyone’s voice is heard1. Set Clear Expectations: Define roles, responsibilities, and behavioral standards to prevent misunderstandings. Implement Solutions: Develop fair, transparent solutions and follow through with actions to rebuild trust.
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Cuando estás en pleno desarrollo de proyecto, lo peor que te puede pasar es que surja un conflicto, aquí es donde realmente se ve si el lider o la líder, nunca mejor dicho lidera bien, pues la rapidez en resolver un mínimo mal entendido que se puede convertir en una montaña, es primordial. Por ello estoy de acuerdo en redactar un Código de resolución de conflictos, donde participe todo el equipo en su redacción y aprobación antes de iniciar un proyecto.
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Continuously monitor trust levels and team dynamics throughout the project lifecycle. Regularly assess the effectiveness of trust-building initiatives and adjust strategies as needed. Encourage a culture of continuous improvement and learning within the project team to sustain trust and collaboration in future projects
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If there is no trust, there is a need to find other partner ...any other measures will not be very effective and will have temporary effect
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Enhancing communication and accountability measures is a powerful solution to rebuild trust in project collaboration. Here's why: Stronger Communication Builds Bridges: Open and honest communication allows team members to express concerns, share ideas, and raise issues freely. This transparency fosters a sense of safety and understanding, which are essential for building trust. Accountability Creates Reliability: When team members are held accountable for their work, it creates a sense of reliability and dependability. People know they can count on each other to deliver on their commitments, which strengthens trust within the team.
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Consider reshuffling team roles and responsibilities, or restructuring the team, if reconciliation measures dont seem to be work. Trust issues cannot be allowed to impact project deliverables and organizational credibility.
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It is very important to monitor the development of bonds of trust between project members. Maintain clear and precise work policies in order to generate a genuine collaborative environment among stakeholders.
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The top six are all assuming that the individual or team has significant education, experience, and/or discipline to fulfill the nuances necessary to build trust and bring success. Identify the gaps and provide a support system, resources, communication, and goals. Having an understanding of individual strengths and weaknesses will work towards a more unified and successful collaboration.
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Addition to all above points, Manager should motivate the subordinates to take Ownership of the project and take initiative for the same
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For every affect there's a cause and underlying reason. Finding the root cause as to why there's a lack of trust will make it easier for you to build a resolve that's actually effective and long-lasting.
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If trust is lacking on my project, it's important to address it head-on. Start by fostering open communication, clarifying expectations, and ensuring transparency in all actions and decisions. Building trust takes time and effort, it's crucial for the success of any project.
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