Workplace Relations

How do you build trust in the workplace?

Published 30 January 2024

Managing people is both time-consuming and can be stressful but the many benefits are rewarding.

By fostering trust between you and your team the benefits are:

  • increase productivity and energy levels
  • encourage teamwork and collaboration
  • build and maintain a strong working relationship 
  • cultivate a happier and more loyal workforce 
  • decrease stress and burnout in which means a low turnover of staff and less sick days.

Distrust, however, will leave you feeling anxious and frustrated, unwilling to delegate and potentially end up micromanaging. Effects of this for your team could include:

  • decreased productivity
  • lowering of morale
  • high turnover of staff
  • high level of sickness absence

So, how do you build trust with your team?

Don’t micromanage
You must allow your team to carry out the job they were hired to do. If you don’t allow them to carry out their role then this is a sure way for them to become disengaged. You want them to remain productive and motivated.

Set the tone 
If your team witness you undermining employees or even your own leadership team then they may mimic your behaviour. Likewise, if they see you behave in a way that is professional and understanding then they will do the same.

Listen 
Your team want to know that they are being heard and their ideas are being considered. It could be that they may have ideas about something that you have missed or never thought of. Remember to compliment them on the idea or even the fact they have taken the time to take it to you and consider a reward if the idea is implemented.

Have difficult conversations
This is one of the 'not so nice' aspects of your job but if you have those difficult conversations when they arise, the issue will not gain momentum. We are built on a culture of 'no news is good news' which gives room for employees to think that what they have done or continue to do is acceptable if they have not heard otherwise.

Celebrate success
Nothing builds trust more than investing in your team’s success and acknowledgement when they have done a good job. Give credit where credit is due. 

Trust diagram
Source: niagarainstitute.com/blog/strategies-for-building-trust-with-employees