If you think trust in the workplace isn’t important, think again. Research shows that high levels of trust between managers and employees can increase productivity to 5% higher than the national averages.
And, we all want to be more productive, right? That being said, let’s honor productivity and get right to it.
10 Easy Ways to Build Trust at Work:
1. Practice thinking “I might be wrong” – Admitting that you might be wrong gives you power. It means you’re self-aware enough to listen to all possibilities without judgement. It also shows emotional intelligence and that makes you a better leader.
2. Be Real – Develop solid work relationships. Connect with people on a personal level. The relationships you have at work are important to your career, make them count. Don’t try to be something or someone that you’re not. Know your values and live them every day.
3. Honor your commitments – Be on time. Finish the project when you say you will. Help the colleague who you promised to mentor. Go the extra mile.
4. Be a role model – If you want a team of engaged employees, be an engaged manager. Be present not distracted when you interact with your teams. Take responsibility for outcomes and never throw anyone under the bus.
5. Hold people accountable – People grow when they stretch. Push them to their limits and keep them accountable. Just make sure you encourage them along the way and support them at every turn.
6. Manage your emotions – It’s impossible to trust a leader who has emotional outbursts. Learn to respond to situations instead of reacting to them. Don’t hit send without taking time to calm down. Become a superstar at breathing exercises. It’s your body’s way of calming you down.
7. Show interest in others – Even if they aren’t a direct report to you. Get to know people in the organization. Learn what they value and why it matters.
8. Practice your listening skills – Listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give to another person. We all want to be heard. Listen with empathy and understanding. Listen for the whole message. Don’t formulate your answer while they’re still talking. Just….listen.
9. Compensate fairly – Profit matters. But your staff needs to pay bills. Treat them with the respect they deserve, pay them fairly. In fact, according to a Harvard Business Review report one of the most cited reasons for low trust in an organization is unfair employee compensation. Don’t be that person.
10. Manage expectations – Don’t expect people to learn a job in too short of a timeframe. And don’t put them in a circumstance where they’re likely to fail. Don’t judge them too soon (positive or negative) – let things play out.
Putting these 10 tips into action will build trust. And trust will build engagement and improve productivity. Isn’t it great when something so simple creates huge results?
Cynthia Corsetti is an Executive Coach and Speaker. If you’d like to learn more on how her C.A.R.E. to Engage system can help you create an engaged workforce in your organization, you can email her at: [email protected]
PS..I’m an open networker and I love to connect. Please join me over on LinkedIn and FB so we can take this journey together!
https://hbr.org/2016/07/a-global-survey-on-the-ambiguous-state-of-employee-trust
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