Building Blocks of Trust @Workplace

Trust is essential for any successful team or organization and it means that you can rely on your colleagues to do their best, to communicate honestly, and to respect each other; this also fosters a positive work environment, where people feel valued and supported during their venture.

But trust is not something that happens overnight and it can't be all built at once, it takes time and effort to build and maintain.

To create such a culture, leaders need to foster:

• Credibility. Do employees trust that leaders have the skills, the communication, and the integrity to lead them?
• Respect. Do employees feel valued both as experts and as human beings with personal lives?
• Equity. Do employees perceive the organization as a place where everyone has the opportunity to grow and succeed?

It's important to acknowledge that you can't create a trusting organization without modeling it from the top down.

So let's see what it takes to build these blocks of trust

1. Listen more, but... really listen

Encourage your colleagues to share their thoughts and perspectives with you and when they do, show them that you value their input by listening attentively. Also, it's crucial to approach both positive and negative feedback with an open mind, demonstrating that you appreciate their input even if you don't always agree with it.

2. Promote direct feedback

Direct feedback is when you ask for honest and constructive opinions from your peers, managers, customers, or anyone else who can help you. By promoting direct feedback, you show that you are open to learning, willing to change, and confident in your abilities.

3. Be transparent

Honesty is the foundation of any relationship, whether at work or in your personal life, one lie can destroy years of trust — and maybe never be fixed.

You can build trust with others by being open and honest about what you do, why you do it, and how it impacts them; it means that you don't hide important information, that you justify your choices and actions, and that you acknowledge your errors and grow from them.

4. Admit when you're wrong

Don't make excuses when you mess up, just tell the truth and apologize; saying sorry is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.

5. Be consistent

You can earn people's trust by being predictable and dependable, and by keeping your word. Consistency means that you stick to your plans, that you show up on time and do your best, but also that you live by your values and principles.

The leader's behavior is the most powerful indicator of the?culture of an organization, it shapes how employees act and what they achieve in the end. If you want to promote trust, then you have to make sure your leaders are honest, respectful, and reliable.

Happy blocks building! #leadership #buildingteams #teambuilding #trustbuilding

Kati H.