Working in a high-trust environment is important for many reasons. For starters, it can lead to better communication and collaboration. Trust in the workplace can also lead to higher engagement, improved morale and a more positive culture overall.
Without trust, you might end up dealing with less motivation and engagement among your team members. People may feel isolated and end up working in silos.
Beth Fredeen, a contributor to the NexLevel blog, says that in the business world, trust is the thread that holds everything together. How can you build and maintain trust? Read on. We share Fredeen’s thoughts in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
Set the tone. Leaders should always strive to model trustworthy behavior themselves. Be honest, reliable and transparent. When you demonstrate integrity in your actions and decisions, Fredeen says you show that you’re worthy of your employees’ trust.
Communicate openly and often. This is key to building rapport. Make sure you let your employees know about organizational changes and challenges. Fredeen says it’s important to encourage two-way communication and actively listen to your team members’ concerns and ideas.
Empower employees. Providing autonomy is a big trust-builder. Fredeen recommends delegating responsibilities and providing employees with the necessary tools or training they need to get the job done.
Foster a collaborative culture. She says that encouraging teamwork and collaboration helps in breaking down silos and building trust among employees. What team-building activities or cross-functional projects could you explore? Maybe there’s an opportunity to participate in meetings with other departments to enhance collaboration.
Address issues promptly. When something doesn’t go as planned, address it head on. Be transparent in your communication with your team. If you made a mistake, take responsibility for it and show how you’re working toward a resolution. For example, Fredeen says you could acknowledge your mistakes if a project fails due to a poor leadership decision. This kind of openness and transparency can help restore trust that may have been broken.
When it comes down to it, trust is the key to a thriving team. When there’s trust, people feel comfortable sharing new ideas, collaborating and taking calculated risks. This trust can lead to a harmonious environment where people work together to accomplish your promo company’s mission.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Beth Fredeen is a contributor to the NexLevel blog. NexLevel is a leadership and team development company that helps leaders remove barriers to their team’s success.
