Trust is the key to building a productive and effective team. This trust must be built from the top. Hidden agendas and secretive environments are not acceptable in today’s business climate.
Trust is fragile. Without consistent leadership, it is difficult to build trust within an organization.
“Managers don’t often realize they are responsible for their own leadership problems,” (Ryan 2018, 2018)
Trust is not something that is automatically given. It is often withheld until leaders create a culture of trust. Trust must be built organically by the leaders of the company.
Ryan in her Forbes article “Ten ways to build trust on your team” Says
These changes may require you and your co-managers to step outside your comfort zone. It may be necessary to get out of your comfort zone to propose these changes.
- Talk
Your daily rituals should include open dialogue and frequent communication. Daily huddles are a way for your team to stay informed about the company’s progress and allow them to make contributions. - Stop Shaming
Accept mistakes as learning opportunities. Make mistakes and learn from them to create a new path. Innovation often comes from failure. - Make it clear
It is important to keep your Handbook and Policies current and shared regularly. These policies must be applied consistently and equally at all levels of the organization. - Be visible
Leaders must be accessible and visible to their team. Being accessible to your team can help you overcome any obstacles faster. - People who value people
Show that you are a real person with real problems that impact your team members at work. When dealing with your team, show empathy and humanity. - Model Behavior
Leaders must walk the talk and walk the walk. This is not about a ‘Do the same thing as I say’ mentality. You must show trustworthiness if you want to gain their trust. - Make Mistakes
Trust is earned by admitting your mistakes, no matter how small. It is better to be open with your team and admit your mistakes or company’s errors than to try to hide them. - Adopt a human voice
Communicate with your team directly and personally. Avoid jargon, lecturing and quoting policies. Instead, listen and communicate in a natural and professional manner. Conversations don’t need to be formalized and passionate. - Register
Have regular check-ins with your team and conduct ‘temperature checks’. Ask your team how they are doing. Also, what you can do to improve the environment. Your team deserves to be heard without judgment or retribution. - Be Honest
Listen to your employees and give them feedback. If you want employees to trust and respect you, it is important that you demonstrate integrity.
It’s not easy to build trust and it can be difficult to maintain the foundation you have built. It can be difficult to find new employees. You must ensure that your company’s culture is strong and visible.
At every stage of the hiring process, reinforce your trust culture. Your key culture points should be communicated to all candidates. Your clients and customers will benefit from this transparent culture.
