What is Trust in the Workplace?
Trust in the workplace refers to the feeling of confidence and reliance that employees have in their leaders, colleagues, and organisation as a whole. It is the foundation of a positive and productive work environment, where employees feel valued, respected, and supported. Trust is essential for building strong relationships, fostering open communication, and promoting collaboration and teamwork. When employees trust their leaders and colleagues, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and committed to achieving the organisation’s goals.
According to Harvard Business Review, trust is a key element that underpins success at work. People who work in high-trust organisations report greater engagement, productivity, energy, and satisfaction. They have less stress, fewer sick days, and less burnout. Building trust in the workplace is critical for business leaders who want to improve employee engagement, increase productivity, and drive business success.
Creating engaged employees to improve employee engagement
There appears to be a backlash against all authority in the modern world. Governments and media have been roundly attacked, with the public rallying against ‘the establishment’. People simply don’t trust government and media to do the right thing.
If the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer is correct, business could be next in line to face the backlash caused by mistrust. Almost two-thirds of the 33,000 survey respondents said that CEOs are ‘not at all’ or ‘only somewhat’ credible.
In this article, I explore the trait approach to leadership by outlining seven key traits that create trust.
The importance of building trust in business
The importance of building trust in business
The most successful relationships are those founded on trust. When trust disappears, resistance to change in the workplace increases. Collaboration is replaced by corporate infighting. Confidence is replaced by uncertainty. Innovation is replaced by stagnation. Trust is central to business success and longevity.
By employing the 7 traits in their approach to leadership, C-level executives will secure the trust of their employees. That’s good for morale, good for individual and team motivation, and good for the business.
The following seven key leadership traits will help you to develop and maintain trust in the workplace: Maintaining trust is a crucial factor for fostering a culture of honesty and respect among employees.
1. Communicate openly and effectively by listening first
The first rule of conscious communication is to foster an environment where team members can communicate openly during one-on-one meetings and team interactions. Learn to listen to what is being said, both verbally and non-verbally. Discover what they consider to be the most important issues and concerns, and address them individually and collectively.
2. Show that you trust your people
Let go a little, or, better still, a lot. Show your people that you trust in their judgement and their capabilities by allowing them to hold the reins. Back them to perform. Encourage them to be creative. Help them to succeed in the challenges you set. Fostering genuine relationships with employees by extending empathy and understanding is crucial. If the going gets tough or they fail in a task, instead of criticising, help them to learn and improve.
3. Encourage transparency
Promote transparency in the workplace by sharing your ideas and values. Acknowledge that leaders may not have all the answers at all times but expressing uncertainty and willingness to find out information builds trust with employees. Be enthusiastic to do so, and let your people know what it takes to succeed. Explain the future vision of the organisation, and create an environment of engagement.
Be positive about yourself, the organisation, its people, and opportunities for advancement. This energy will help to sustain dialogues, encourage innovation, and reduce staff turnover.
4. Be interested in your people
Your employees’ lives do not revolve around work. They have families, interests and hobbies that are of far greater importance. Show that you are genuinely interested in your employees as people, and that you understand that their home lives impact on work, and vice versa.
Support them in what they do outside of work. Mutual respect is a fundamental element of trust within teams and workplaces. Be sympathetic to their personal situation. An hour of empathy can win you a lifetime of loyalty.
5. Be a career advancer for professional growth
Show that you care about your employees’ professional lives as well as their personal lives by helping them to advance. Ask what they want, where they want to go, what type of work they feel they would be best suited to. Understand their motivations, and create a plan of action to help them achieve their personal goals. Meet and review progress regularly, and evolve the action plan to suit them.
6. Always do what you say you will
Nothing destroys trust more than going back on your word. Ensure you follow through on promises made. Of course, there may be times when circumstances change. If this is the case, communicate the change to your people, explain how and why plans have changed, and how this affects the delivery of your promise. They will understand. Whatever you do, don’t leave them in the dark. Building team trust is a foundational element for success in the workplace, enhancing collaboration, increasing productivity, and promoting a positive work environment.
7. Say “Thank you”
Show your people that you value their time and contribution. Say “Thank you”. Demonstrate your gratitude with a small gift – a meal at their favourite restaurant, a book by their favourite author, or a half-day holiday so they can watch their children in their first school play. You’re interested in your people and what makes them tick – what better way of showing your appreciation than a personalised thank you? Emphasising team building trust is crucial as it enhances collaboration and cooperation among members, fostering open communication and creativity.
Creating a Culture of Trust
Team Meetings and Communication
Team meetings and communication are essential for building trust in the workplace. Regular team meetings provide a platform for employees to share their ideas, concerns, and feedback, and for leaders to communicate the organisation’s vision, goals, and expectations. When team members feel heard and valued, they are more likely to trust their leaders and colleagues.
Young man speaks to other young people by grunge wall
To create a culture of trust, leaders should prioritise open and transparent communication. This includes sharing information, providing feedback, and actively listening to employees. Team meetings should be structured to encourage participation, collaboration, and problem-solving. By fostering a culture of open communication, leaders can build trust and promote a positive and productive work environment.
Psychological Safety and Inclusion
Psychological safety is a critical component of a culture of trust. It refers to the feeling of safety and security that employees have when sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of judgment or retribution. When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to take risks, innovate, and collaborate with their colleagues.
Inclusive leadership is also essential for building trust in the workplace. Leaders should prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion, and create a work environment that values and respects all employees. This includes promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives, providing training and development opportunities, and addressing biases and microaggressions. By creating a culture of inclusion, leaders can build trust and promote a positive and productive work environment.
By prioritising team meetings and communication, psychological safety, and inclusion, leaders can create a culture of trust that drives business success and promotes employee engagement and well-being.
Contact Primeast today to discover how growing your emotional intelligence will provide the skills needed to inspire a fully empowered and engaged workforce.
