According to Paul Thagard, a Canadian philosopher and cognitive scientist, trust is a belief in someone's dependability, confidence that someone cares, and a belief in someone's expected behavior.

Why is Trust Important in the Workplace?

Trust is when employees feel secure and motivated to achieve excellent results collaboratively. It enhances teamwork, boosts employee engagement and productivity, facilitates better decision-making, and reduces work-related stress and burnout.

Leaders of a company play a significant role in establishing trust as a core value enforced from the top. Unfortunately, a current trend of declining trust within organizations was found by a Gallup Panel survey, where only 23% of employees trust their leadership. This lack of trust is concerning for businesses, as when people lose trust in leadership, they tend to prioritize self-interest and may not be as invested in the organization's well-being.

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"Trust Triangle"

Frances X. Frei, a Harvard Business School Professor, and Anne Morris, the executive founder of the Leadership Consortium, highlight three essential elements in building trust: authenticity, logic, and empathy. These components form a "trust triangle," and trust starts to diminish when any of them is absent.

Authenticity: Authenticity in the context of trust is the presentation of oneself by leaders and individuals as truthful and consistent. People believe that intentions and actions align when they perceive others as authentic.

Logic: Logic involves making decisions, communicating, and behaving in a way that is rational and makes sense. It enhances trust when actions logically align with stated goals, values, or expectations. People are more likely to trust leaders or colleagues who demonstrate a logical and reasonable approach in their decision-making and communication.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to comprehend and experience another person's emotions. Empathy is essential for establishing trust because it shows that one is considerate of the feelings and viewpoints of others.

How Emotional Acknowledgement Influences Trust

Emotional acknowledgment plays a pivotal role in influencing trust within interpersonal relationships. When individuals openly recognize and express understanding of each other's emotions, it fosters a more profound sense of connection and empathy- verbalizing emotions, whether positive or negative, conveys a level of attentiveness and care. In various studies, acknowledging someone's feelings, particularly during challenging moments, has enhanced perceived trustworthiness and signal a willingness to invest time and effort in understanding others, strengthening interpersonal bonds.

Acknowledging Other People's Emotions can Strengthen Relationships

Acknowledging your coworkers' emotions, such as expressing concern when they seem upset, can strengthen your connections. This simple act enhances trust between you and the person whose emotions you acknowledge and boosts your perceived trustworthiness in the eyes of observers who witness this interaction.

Acknowledging Negative Emotions Than Positive Ones Boosts Trust

Acknowledging negative emotions rather than positive ones requires more time, attention, and effort. When you recognize negative emotions, individuals feel a greater sense of care from you, leading to increased trust.

Acknowledging Emotions Boosts Trust More Than Acknowledging the Situation

Emotions are integral to our identities and inner experiences, and when someone recognizes our feelings rather than just the external situation, we feel more validated and humanized.

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