Building trust with your team as a leader

January 8, 2021
Building Trust with your team

Arthur Gensler, founder of the architectural firm Gensler argues that “Trust is the most powerful currency in business.” Establishing trust externally with customers and partners is key to growing and building a positive image, but building trust internally within your company and team is equally important in laying the foundation for business success.

In a time where managers and leaders are striving to maximize team productivity and do “more with less,” it’s crucial that your company develop personal relationships with their employees and foster an environment of trust.

These four keys help in building trust with your team:

  1. Demonstrate YOU Trust Others
    You can’t preach an “open-door policy” and encourage your employees to be open and honest with you, just to turn around and reveal to them your distrust of other leaders in the company. Negativity loves company, and your employees will mimic a distrustful disposition that will eventually include not trusting you.

  2. Create Mutually Beneficial Relationships
    Many employees become disengaged and distrustful because they don’t feel their manager or company leaders have an interest in their career. Leaders must focus on the success and wellbeing of their employees – business success will follow when employees are motivated and feel supported.

  3. Tell the Truth
    The old saying “trust is like a mirror… once you break it, things never look the same” is true. It takes time and energy to build a relationship centered on trust. Just one lie can undo months of that work. It’s not always easy, but in the long run, honestly is the best policy.

  4. Follow Through with Commitments
    When you say you’re going to do something, do it – especially if you expect the same out of your employees. Trust between you and your employees is just as much about what you do, not just what you say.

Building trust within your team takes time and energy from the beginning. But the resources spent will pay dividends in the long-term success and sustainability of your company.