Trust is often seen as the cornerstone of a company’s success. While many focus on the trust customers must have in a business and its products, trust within the organization is just as crucial. Employees need to trust one another; when this trust is lacking, communication, teamwork, and performance can all suffer.
To help your organization thrive, building trust among all team members is essential. However, creating this mutual trust is not always easy. In fact, only one in five HR and engagement leaders feel their employees have strong trust in company leaders, and half of the employees doubt the reliability of HR.
Trust is important for both in-person and remote teams. Employees who don’t have trust are usually less motivated and productive. In environments where trust is high, employees experience 74% less stress, are 50% more productive, and suffer 40% less burnout.
This discussion highlights why workplace trust matters and offers nine ways to foster it among your team.
Build Connections
Establishing a personal connection is a powerful way to build trust. This is especially critical for leaders, who may appear less reliant and, therefore, less trustworthy as their authority grows. To counter this, get to know your team and allow them to know you. Share common interests or background stories, like a shared hometown or sports team. Host casual lunches or join occasional customer service calls to show your commitment and care.
Listen More Than You Speak
Each employee has their own perspective and opinions. Encourage them to share and genuinely listen when they do. Positive workplace relationships are built on understanding, and active listening can enhance this. Practice asking questions and seeking clarity to truly grasp what they’re saying. Meetings are a great opportunity to set aside time for employees to communicate their work experiences and feelings.
Be Open and Honest
Be transparent about the company’s current status and future plans to avoid misinformation. While some information like salaries may be off-limits, sharing financial reports, performance metrics, and board meeting notes shows that you trust your employees and, in turn, fosters their trust in you. Honesty might sometimes mean delivering bad news, but it’s necessary for building trust.
Request and Receive Feedback
Regularly ask for feedback. Most employees are dissatisfied with annual feedback opportunities, with many preferring the ability to provide input anytime. Implement feedback systems with regular pulse surveys and always-on channels like workplace chatbots so that team members can consistently share their thoughts. Work with feedback experts to identify needs and develop tailored surveys that lead to actionable insights.
Motivate Instead of Instruct
There’s a distinct difference between giving orders and encouraging your team. Long-term success comes from inspiring your employees, not just directing them. When employees feel empowered and their goals are aligned with the company’s, they work more efficiently. Managers should delegate responsibilities, give autonomy, and clearly define goals and performance metrics. Trusting your employees will lead them to trust you.
Show Trust First to Empower Your Team
Taking the first step in showing trust towards your employees increases the chances they’ll trust you back. Demonstrate confidence by encouraging their growth and giving them more responsibilities. Invite them to meetings beyond their usual scope, like having a sales rep join a strategy session to offer insights that could guide sales and marketing strategies. Your trust will leave a lasting impression, and you’ll benefit from their fresh perspectives.
Be Consistent
Keeping your promises consistently builds trust. Lead by example; if you expect punctuality, be punctual. If you demand expertise, show expertise. Your consistency reassures your staff that you’re dependable and committed to excellence.
Encourage Coaching
Leaders have a vital role in establishing trust in the workplace. Research shows that honest leadership boosts trust, engagement, and performance. One effective approach is adopting a coaching mindset rather than the traditional boss role focusing on discipline. By coaching your team to exceed expectations, you’ll gain their trust and attention.
Show Gratitude Daily
While pay is a form of recognition, it’s not enough to show employees you trust and value them. Regular, real-time appreciation is key. This can be as simple as thank-you notes, verbal acknowledgment, or tangible rewards like bonuses and employee awards.
