Why Good Leaders Build Team Trust
As a leader, trust is one of the most valuable commodities you can cultivate in the workplace. Being a trustworthy employer goes beyond checking off the boxes of basic moral expectations and extends into creating a strong team that depends on you and on whom you know you can depend. Building trust takes time, but the work is well worth the reward.
Let's take a look at why building trust as a leader is so essential:
1. Trust Creates a Healthy and Productive Environment.
Colleagues need to know that they can count on you, and employees need to know that they can count on their boss, just as their boss relies on them. When your colleagues as well as those under your leadership know that you are not only a trustworthy leader but a trustworthy individual, they feel comfortable and secure striving for higher potential in the workplace. When employers build credibility within their team, their employees feel empowered to share their ideas and be active contributors because they know that they are trusted and valued. Ultimately, this team trust unlocks potential for greater growth as new ideas are shared and people gain the courage they need to turn company visions into realities.
2. Christ Calls us to Treat Others the Way We Want to Be Treated.
Matthew 7:12 gives us the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. If you want your colleagues and other employees to have faith in you, you need to initiate that certainty level by striving to establish a mutual level of respect. Building trust is an ongoing activity, not just a one-time thing. An excellent place to start is by showing support to colleagues and other employees, even when they make mistakes. Take steps to provide productive and honest feedback so that employees know you appreciate their efforts while keeping them on the same page as you. Another way to build confidence is to lead by example. If you want employees to be proactive in their communication, make it a point to keep them in the loop by giving them a heads up to potential projects, upcoming changes or anything else that's relevant to them.
3. Relationships Become Mutually Beneficial.
When your employees trust you, they are more likely to follow your lead. Change is more comfortable to accept because they understand you are doing what you can to fulfill your company's vision, even if the change seems sudden. And if you make a mistake or wrong decision, be quick to recognized it and own up to it quickly, and explain the new direction. Then your team will be more willing to follow your lead, since they know you will be quick to adjust if you have chosen the wrong path. When push comes to shove, they'll have your back and support your decisions. It's a lot easier to hit milestones and accomplish goals when nobody feels like they have to be looking over their shoulder and can work knowing their leader values them as both people and employees, and wants the best for everyone. When employees feel appreciated, they will reciprocate that same support.
Little can be accomplished in a workplace where trust is absent. Without mutual trust, both employer and employees are generally unhappy and unmotivated. As you seek to excel in your leadership skills, begin by incorporating these tips to build trust within your team for a healthier and happier atmosphere.
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