Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship whether personal or professional. Developing it takes time and this time is usually underpinned by actions that demonstrate that trust.
Unfortunately, that invested time and that trust can often be destroyed by an unintentional act. Once committed, there is seldom any going back from that act. While relationships “may continue”, the residual damage will remain. That trust can never be recovered.
As a leader here are five actions you can take to develop a culture of trust among your team.
- Clearly communicate expectations to each person. Remember ambiguity is the enemy of accountability.
- Show you have their best interests at heart by what you say and more especially by what you do.
- Follow through on your commitments – both given and received.
- Be truthful and authentic, especially when it isn’t easy.
- Model trustworthiness by your daily actions with your team members and your customers.
Building trust takes time. It is a process, and like any process it needs to be nurtured and refined to match the relationship involved.
Review any challenges you face around trust and identify which of the above actions you can apply to address that challenge.
