As an HR practitioner, I find the topic of trust building particularly interesting and important. I’ve seen personally the damage that can be done to a group when trust is lacking. It can cause stress, low morale, and a poisonous atmosphere at work. But when trust is built, miraculous things can happen. Teams function harmoniously, information sharing started openly, and everyone is heard and understood. It’s a sight to behold, and it’s what motivates me to make trust-building a top priority on any team I’m a part of.
What Is Trust In The Workplace?
When we talk about trust in the workplace, we’re referring to the faith or assurance that workers have in their superiors, peers, and the company as a whole. Because it facilitates productive collaboration, honest communication, and a sense of safety and support, it is essential to the success and well-being of any workplace. Consistency in behavior, open and honest communication, and mutual regard are the cornerstones of a trusting relationship. Employees are more likely to take risks, show their vulnerabilities, and work together toward common goals if they feel they can trust their coworkers. Conversely, when people don’t trust one another, tensions rise and productivity plummets. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to place a premium on fostering an atmosphere of trust within their workforce.
When it comes to building trust in a team, be aware that there are two types of trust. And these are:
1. Practical Trust
The term “practical trust” describes the kinds of trustworthiness that may be seen and measured in the workplace. Honesty, dependability, competency, and ethical conduct must be consistently displayed. Managers can gain employees’ trust by, among other things, being open and honest with them, keeping their word, and accepting responsibility for their own actions. Employees who reliably complete tasks on time, keep in touch with others, and show appreciation for their superiors and peers are also more likely to earn the respect of those around them.
2. Emotional Trust
Emotional trust is the more intangible, yet crucial, element of trust in the workplace. Trust between coworkers and management creates an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and respected. Positive interactions, empathic listening, and demonstrating concern for the well-being of others all contribute to the development of trust on an emotional level. Leaders who are able to empathize with their team members and provide for their emotional needs are more likely to earn their respect and loyalty. Similarly, workers who are encouraging to one another, who listen attentively, and who demonstrate empathy are more likely to earn the trust of their coworkers.
Why Do I Need To Care About Trust?
Trust is crucial to the success of any relationship, whether it be personal or professional. Communication, cooperation, and teamwork cannot thrive without trust. When there is trust, workers have a greater sense of safety and support on the workplace, which in turn increases their happiness and output. Because of the increased likelihood of misunderstandings, disagreements, and miscommunications in a work setting where trust has been broken, productivity has suffered.
Relationships with coworkers, superiors, and customers all benefit greatly from the presence of trust. Your capacity to convince others and lead them can be affected. Leaders who have built trust with their teams are more likely to see them through to success, garner support, and keep their best employees around.
How To Build Trust In A Team: 10 Proven Strategies
Trust must be built over time and takes continuous work. Establishing and keeping employees’ trust should be at the top of your list of managerial responsibilities.
1. Set Clear Roles And Responsibilities
When everyone on the team understands their role and how their efforts contribute to the team’s success as a whole, it fosters a culture of responsibility and unity. In the absence of defined responsibilities, time and energy may be misplaced. Having clear roles and duties established from the outset is essential to a successful collaborative effort, in my opinion. Together, everyone may put their abilities to use in pursuit of the goal, increasing the likelihood of success.
2. Encourage Relationship Building
Positive team dynamics and increased efficiency are the result of an emphasis on getting to know one another. Team members’ willingness to contribute ideas, seek assistance, and accept criticism improves when they trust one another. Outside of the office, I’ve found that team lunches and other social activities can do wonders for fostering camaraderie among coworkers. It is equally important to create a setting in which people of all backgrounds and beliefs are treated with dignity and respect.
3. Prioritize Open And Honest Communication
Team members develop trust and mutual understanding when they are able to openly share their ideas, opinions, and concerns. However, it is not always simple to achieve open and honest conversation. To achieve this, a team’s members must feel comfortable speaking up and actively listening to one another. When working in a group, I always give my whole attention to the people around me and try to provide them helpful criticism. And I urge others to do the same, no matter how difficult or unsettling that may be.
4. Empower Your Team
Building a strong team requires giving everyone a voice and encouraging them to take responsibility for their contributions. As a team member, I’ve seen that when people have the authority to make decisions and take action, they tend to be more invested in the outcome and feel more pleasure in their accomplishments. This can be accomplished by setting out well-defined goals and objectives and allowing for ample room for professional development. It’s also crucial to highlight the achievements and contributions of team members.
5. Develop A Culture Of Appreciation
No matter how big or small, the accomplishments and efforts of team members should be recognized and celebrated. The finest working environments are those in which team members feel appreciated and inspired to give their all. This can be accomplished by consistently praising team members’ efforts, offering constructive criticism, and highlighting their accomplishments. The team’s appreciation culture can be strengthened by giving members more chances to acknowledge and compliment one another.
6. Celebrate Successes
Recognizing and rewarding accomplishments is crucial to the development of a high-performing team and the preservation of morale. Whether the team has reached a major milestone, completed a difficult project, or won a new client, it is important to recognize and celebrate these achievements. Team dinners, public acknowledgment, and incentive payments are all acceptable means of celebration, however the specifics will vary from group to group and from firm to company. Smaller victories along the way are just as worthy of recognition and celebration as larger ones.
7. Practice What You Preach
It’s important for team members to set an example by acting in accordance with the team’s shared values and norms. For instance, if team members value open and honest communication, they should demonstrate this value by actively listening to one another and giving useful feedback. Similarly, if cooperation and teamwork are essential, then members of the team must work in tandem and provide mutual support to succeed. Putting your words into practice also entails owning up to your mistakes and accepting blame when things go awry.
8. Own Up When You Get It Wrong
Everyone on the team is human and makes mistakes occasionally. But how we react to setbacks shows what kind of person we are and can have an effect on the team’s performance. A culture of trust and respect is fostered when team members admit fault and seek to make amends. It opens the door to lessons learned and helps avoid repeating the same errors. The opposite is true when team members refuse to take responsibility for their actions and instead place the blame on others, which can lead to a hostile work environment and the erosion of trust.
9. Ask For Feedback And Take Action
A key component of developing a winning team is actively seeking and acting upon feedback. We can learn a lot about how well we’re doing and where we can make changes if we solicit input from team members and other interested parties. However, merely soliciting comments is insufficient. It’s just as crucial to act on the comments made and make the necessary adjustments. This exemplifies a hunger for knowledge and suggests an openness to change, both of which can benefit the team and the company as a whole. As a team player, I always try to get input from others and adjust my approach accordingly.
10. Show Your People You Care
One of the keys to developing a strong team is demonstrating leadership’s concern for its members. Increased motivation, engagement, and loyalty can result when team members feel valued and supported. There are a number of ways to show your team members that you value them, such as keeping tabs on how they are doing, giving them chances to advance in their careers, and being accommodating when scheduling conflicts arise. Personal achievements, such as a team member’s birthday or the arrival of a new baby, should also be celebrated. By doing so, we may establish an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust in the workplace. As a team player, I always try to do what I can to cheer up my coworkers, whether it’s by bringing in snacks or just being there for them when they need someone to talk to.
How To Build Trust In A Team: Main Takeaways
For a team to thrive and produce positive results, trust must first be established. The key points for establishing confidence within a group are as follows:
Maintain frank and open dialogue.
Keep people in the loop and deliver on promises.
Inspire your team members to act independently
Create an atmosphere of gratitude.
Recognize accomplishments
Put your words into action
Recognize your mistakes and apologize
Seek out opinions and respond to them
Make your people feel special.
By keeping these points in mind, team members may build trust and cooperate for the common good. Building and maintaining trust in a team is difficult and takes time and energy from everyone involved.