Building a culture of trust benefits leaders, employees, and the business. Trusted employees are motivated, leading to higher productivity and lower turnover. Trust also fosters positive relationships and collaboration among employees.
In a Workforce Institute study, 64% of employees noted that trust at work influenced their sense of belonging. Additionally, 58% stated it influenced their career decisions, and 55% considered trust important for mental health at work.
How Can Trust Be Built in The Workplace?
Earning employees' trust involves reciprocating trust, and it starts with leadership. Research from the Edelman Trust Barometer shows that when employees perceive trust from their CEO, they are inclined to trust the CEO, other managers, and the organization as a whole.
Here are some effective strategies for fostering trust in the workplace:
1. Don't Micromanage
Trusting your employees entails believing they will complete their tasks without constant supervision or unnecessary interference. Granting them greater autonomy involves establishing clear expectations and guidelines while remaining adaptable and empathetic. Employees may better understand what is achievable or encounter unforeseen challenges. They can offer their insights and experiences through trust and autonomy, fostering open communication within the team throughout the work process.
2. Foster a Transparency Culture
Promote transparency with employees to cultivate a trusting culture by informing them about how the organization operates. Share updates about significant changes, whether positive or negative, to alleviate stress and uncertainty. Encourage them to ask questions, provide solutions, or raise important issues. Transparency demonstrates that you value their input and trust their perspective, thereby strengthening trust within the organization.
3. Be Honest and Authentic
Authenticity and honesty are essential components of transparency, contributing to workplace trust. Ensuring consistency in words and actions is vital to building trust within the organization.
Authenticity and honesty should permeate every aspect of the organization. For instance, a business must follow through with action if it promotes specific workplace ethics or causes. Disconnection between the company's mission statement and actions can undermine employees' motivation and trust in leadership.
4. Establish Open Lines of Communication
Clear, open, and honest communication is vital for fostering relationships built on mutual trust. Engaging in open communication not only strengthens workplace relationships but also ensures employees feel acknowledged and valued.
Actively listening to employees and providing them a platform to voice their opinions can result in higher productivity, enhanced morale, and greater initiative.
5. Minimize Employee Monitoring
When employees perceive constant observation and scrutiny, it signals a lack of trust, fostering distrust within the workplace. Excessive or intrusive monitoring diminishes employee empowerment and autonomy, adversely affecting mental well-being.
Autonomy and empowerment cultivate a positive work environment, resulting in happier and more productive employees. While some level of monitoring may be necessary, it should be used sparingly and minimally intrusive to prevent alienating the team.
Trust is fundamental to healthy relationships in the workplace, where social connections form its foundation. A business that values trust fosters a company culture characterized by mutual support, reliability, and unity among team members. In such an environment, happiness and loyalty naturally flourish as byproducts of trust.
