3 Of the Simplest Ways Leaders Can Earn Their Team’s Trust">
There certainly is a lot of grey areas in life and relationships, but when it comes to trust, it’s more of a “black or white” scenario.
In a relationship you either trust somebody, or you don’t.
People that have experienced their trust in a leader being betrayed, will recall a storm of powerful emotions being stirred up.
Being betrayed by a boss or manager is a shock to the system that involves feelings of confusion, hurt, embarrassment and anger. Especially when it involves someone you respect and admire.
A good leader knows that creating and keeping trust in their relationships with colleagues, is one of the foundations of building a strong organisation. And they know that often people are wary about trusting leaders or co-workers after getting burned once before.
Therefore, a good leader also grasps that trust is like Rome, not built in one day, though it can be destroyed in an instant.
Here follows the 3 most basic ways to constantly invest in building and protecting the trust element of your work relationships:
1. Be Transparent
- Organisations run by leaders that manage from a distance and are vague or secretive, endorse an air of suspicion and an awkwardness about their intentions.
- Good leaders, in contrast, share the bigger picture involving the company goals and are open and transparent about the “why” of the business.
- Be the leader that echoes the importance of each team member’s role in the larger plan.
- Be the leader that shares the vision with their team of colleagues, thus not only keeping them motivated, but also providing them with the tools and confidence to excel in their jobs.
2. Be Responsive
A true leader knows that sluggishness in dealing with issues can inhibit the growth of the business and that their team depends on them to provide constant, solid and decisive direction.
- Responding with urgency to any matters is critical for the company to advance.
- Be a leader that is “hands-on” in in resolving requests and matters when they occur.
- Be a leader that is easily approachable and reliable in following through with an action plan.
- By setting the example of being responsive, you will set the foundations of growing trust throughout the company.
3. Be Humble
A sure way to lose the trust of your team, is by taking full credit for the success of the company and getting up on the stage alone when awards are being handed out.
- A good leader doesn’t need to have their ego boosted and knows that the success of the business is due to a team effort.
- Be the leader that finds joy in giving credit to others and making them shine.
- Also, be the leader that is strong enough to take the responsibility and the fall for any mistakes made, even if your own image is on the line.
Any relationship is built on the foundation of trust along with integrity and honesty. As a person in a leadership position, dedicate your efforts and energy toward cultivating trust, and the bond you will have with your team will ensure that your company will go from strength to strength.
