Trust In The Workplace: More Than Just A Buzzword

Practical strategies for cultivating trust in your team

Remember the last time you felt you could rely entirely on a teammate? It felt good. The topic of trust is often brought up in professional training sessions, online seminars, and collaborative exercises. Yet, we rarely pause to consider its profound impact on workplace culture and productivity. Trust is not merely a feel-good mantra; it's the cornerstone of a successful work environment. Adam Grant has done great research in this area, summarized well in this episode of his Work Life podcast.

The What and the Why of Trust

So, what is trust? In the workplace, trust is the belief that your colleagues, superiors, and subordinates will act in a way that benefits the team. It's the confidence that your team members will fulfill their roles, respect confidentiality, and support one another.
 

Why does trust matter? A work environment built on trust yields better collaboration, higher morale, and increased creativity. Employees with more trust at work are 260% more motivated and 50% less likely to apply for other jobs. When trust exists, people are more willing to take calculated risks, suggest innovative ideas, and, most importantly, be authentic. Without trust, even the most talented individuals can become paralyzed by skepticism and miss out on valuable opportunities. And what’s concerning is that 25% of employees don’t trust their organization.

The Building Blocks of Trust

There are various models available that can demonstrate the process of building trust. One of my favorites is David Maister’s Trust Equation. When we look across the multiple models, here are some common themes.

1. Transparency: Open communication is the first step in building trust. Whether it's a transparent decision-making process or admitting when you're wrong, it helps lay the foundation for trust.


2. Accountability: Holding oneself and others accountable for actions and decisions fosters respect among team members. When people know their actions have consequences, they are more likely to make thoughtful choices.


3. Consistency: Regularity in behavior and performance establishes reliability. Your team should know what to expect from you and vice versa.


4. Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others goes a long way in building trust. It shows that you're more than just a co-worker; you're compassionate.

Trust-Building Activities

Trust is crucial for maintaining a positive organizational culture. The presence or absence of trust can significantly impact teamwork, communication, productivity, and commitment to the organization among employees. To enhance trust within your organization, consider implementing the following three activities:

• Open-Door Policy: Encourage team members to share their thoughts and concerns freely. Make it known that their opinions are valued.


• Regular Check-Ins: Whether it's a weekly team meeting or a monthly one-on-one, make time for regular check-ins. These moments allow for feedback sharing and set the stage for continuous improvement.


• Celebrate Successes: Acknowledging and celebrating individual and team achievements promotes community and belonging, further solidifying trust.

The Trust Bank

Think of trust as a bank account. Each positive interaction adds to this account —like delivering a project on time or helping. Trust can be lost due to negative actions like dishonesty or unfulfilled commitments. Research shows that it’s much easier to trust people we know personally, so it’s important to take the time to develop interpersonal relationships on your teams. The key is to maintain a positive balance in your trust bank.

Trust isn't a one-time deal. It's a cyclical process. As trust improves, performance likely increases. And as performance grows, so does trust. It's a virtuous cycle that propels teams to higher levels of success.

Trust in the workplace is not just the responsibility of the leaders or the Human Resources department; it's a collective endeavor. Every team member has a role to play in creating a trusting environment. So, the next time you're in a meeting or working on a project, take a moment to evaluate how you can contribute to building trust within your team. After all, trust is more than just a buzzword; it's the bedrock of any thriving work environment.

Author Bio

Justin Reinert is a Talent Leader with 20 years of talent development experience. He has led learning at organizations as large as HSBC and Oracle and built award-winning learning teams at small to mid-size high-growth firms. He’s currently the Principal and Founder of Performance Accelerated Learning and recently published his first book, Creating Belonging, in the spring of 2022.