Trust: the secret sauce of success
“Mistrust begets mistrust; trust begets accomplishment.”
Lao Tzu
Fostering trust within an organization is crucial for collaboration, innovation, overall success– and public opinion of the future, according to a new study.
The annual 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer reports a grim reality: public trust in companies headquartered in the US is in an overall decline.
Yet an interesting finding shows that the trust relationship between an employee and their boss is much more positive.
Overall, nearly 80 percent of employees reported trusting “their employer,” and are more likely to afford their specific leaders room to operate within a margin of error– in other words, they give their direct supervisors a bit of grace.
Innovation brings an imbalance of trust
Most prominently, the global PR firm’s annual survey shows that accepting innovation has become a concerning new risk factor for trust.
Business is considered the most trusted industry (as opposed to government or media), and is uniquely positioned to reverse this trend when it comes to navigating innovations like artificial intelligence, and other advances in the health and food industries.
Regardless of your industry, building a team on the foundation of trustworthy relationships has never been more essential in this age of innovation.
As a leader, your relationship with your direct employee is the most critical.
Building trust from within
There are a myriad of ways to improve trust within a team. At its core, it’s about mutual respect and understanding. When leaders embody this essential principle, trust is far more likely to trickle down the ranks to all other employees.
This organization-wide culture of trust thrives when the team shows respect for each other’s work, ideas, perspectives, and personality.
While each organization should tailor an approach best suited for its employees, here are some key areas to target if trust within your team is waning.
Choice and autonomy
One of the best ways to imbue a feeling of trust is to allow your team greater autonomy in their day to day activities. When team members know their leaders trust them, they can pursue creative, innovative, and collaborative approaches that can skyrocket their success.
Taking risks
A healthy culture of risk-taking is essential for growth.
An internal study at Google, known as Project Aristotle, revealed that the highest-performing teams are the risk takers!
When teams felt empowered by what the study calls “psychological safety”– feeling safe to take risks without fear of negative consequences– they were more likely to share new thoughts, ideas, and innovations.
Learning and growth
Education is empowerment.
When you show your team you’re investing in them and their personal development, you are building a strong infrastructure of mutual respect, trust, and loyalty.
Cautious vs. adventurous
When employees feel confident in their role, job security, and interpersonal relationships, they are more likely to perform better and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Creating a diverse team that includes both cautious and adventurous thinkers is paramount. When employees feel safe and supported, they are more likely to push and challenge each other to perform their best.
Start from within
One of the best ways to create a trustworthy culture is to start from within. Leaders set the pace for a team’s success. Additional best practices for developing this culture include:
Prioritize good communication and respectful feedback
Align your organization's values with team responsibilities
Set goals and promote growth
Put people over profits
Recognize and reward quality work
Champion diversity, equality, and inclusion
Show gratitude
You’re not alone in your quest to build and maintain trust. Learn more about Leadership Delta’s Delta Academy to level up your leadership and management capabilities and become the team lead you’ve always aspired to.