How do you create a trustworthy workplace?

The most important part of developing trust within an organization or relationship is time. Time will set forth the emotions that will or and can bring any agency, organization, and relationship trustworthy with dedication to commit to team goals and values.

Imagine communication as gardening: Clarity: Just as a gardener plants seeds precisely, your message should be unambiguous and concise. Consistency: Regular watering ensures growth, mirroring how steady communication nurtures trust. Understanding the Environment: A gardener adjusts care based on the plant species. Likewise, adapt your communication to suit your audience. Feedback: A gardener observes plant responses to adjust care, similar to how feedback enhances effective communication. Harmony: A gardener cultivates a balanced ecosystem, akin to how good communication creates an inclusive and harmonious environment. Thus, clear communication, like good gardening, fosters growth, harmony, and an environment conducive to success.

To add on to this- employees respect management who are involved. Not on such a level that they feel micromanaged, but employees do want management involvement and to know that management does see the hard work they’re putting into their daily jobs.

Many at times a lot of people think been a Servant-Leader is about micromanaging. A servant leader who is after building trust is able to challenge status quo, set vision and does what is best for the team from time to time. For example, when a team is faced with difficulty and decisions are made; whatever decision should be designed to serve the team. It may require that things are done that the team doesn't like this is not because of ego or authority but because it is what is best for the team at the time.

Leaders can learn from lighthouse keepers: Guidance: Clear direction and support are crucial for success, like how lighthouses guide ships. Empowerment: By empowering employees to make decisions and fostering autonomy, leaders can help their teams thrive. Reliability: Like a dependable lighthouse beacon, leaders should offer consistent support to their employees. Observation: Leaders must be attuned to their employees' needs and challenges, like how a lighthouse keeper observes sea conditions to operate effectively. Safe Haven: Leaders should cultivate a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and feel safe. By applying these principles, leaders can guide their teams toward safe harbors and successful voyages.

There is nothing more engaging and energizing than an empowered workforce. Trust your team with decisions and support them in the process. Let them know that it is ok to make mistakes, it’s part of the process and coach them to grow! Furthermore, you have to acknowledge the progress and give them feedback along the way. It will depend on their attitude and behavior if they are suited for the challenge and the growth so you can build a high performance and motivated team.

Consider leading by example and acting with integrity as akin to being a sculptor: Modeling: Just as a sculptor shapes clay, leaders mold their team's culture and behavior through their actions. Integrity: Like a sculptor consistently applying pressure for a balanced form, leaders should apply principles evenly, demonstrating fairness and trustworthiness. Commitment: A sculptor is dedicated to their craft, mirroring how leaders' consistent actions and choices reflect a commitment to their team. In essence, leading by example and acting with integrity, like a sculptor, shapes the team's values, fosters trust and inspires excellence.

This is HUGE! If you do not foster teamwork, you are setting yourself up for failure. There will be little to no communication. Everyone will be pinned against each other. And, the worst part, no one will take you seriously as the boss. We all play a role- a part of a whole which is the group as a whole. By creating a happy and safe environment, your productivity will nearly double!

This is really important in my view. Most people are not comfortable with this and you need to be able to receive, acknowledge and act on feedback as a leader before you can give it. The only way you can grow as an individual is once you are able to self-reflect and do something with the insights you gain. I always say that even in the most seemingly unfair feedback there is a small truth and a good personal and business learning.

Foster curiosity and be curious. Be open minded and work continuously on your biases and blind spots. This will help any leader be self aware and organically spread that culture through the organization.