What's Trust Got to Do With It?

The answer is everything! So, what exactly is trust?

It’s the foundation of effective communication, retention, and engagement in the workplace.

Below are a few definitions:

• Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety of a person or thing.

• The obligation or responsibility placed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed.

What are the top 5 ways to build trust with your team?

1. Show respect According to Harvard Business Review, showing respect is the #1 trait of leaders to build trust.
   

2. Be a person of integrity C.S. Lewis defines integrity as doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Behaviors that demonstrate integrity include being honest, keeping confidences, doing what you say you will do, and taking responsibility.
   

3. Show humility Humility is a leadership trait that doesn’t get a lot of press but it's really important. In the book, Good to Great, it is listed as one of the top traits of successful leaders from Fortune 100 companies. It is sometimes seen as weakness, but that isn’t the case at all! It involves putting others before yourself. C.S. Lewis says that humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. Some behaviors that show humility include admitting mistakes, minimizing status differences, soliciting input from others, listening well, and being quick to point out the contributions of others (and slow to seek attention for yourself).
   

4. Be willing to be vulnerable Vulnerability is a state of emotional exposure that comes with a certain degree of uncertainty. It involves a person’s willingness to accept the emotional risk that comes from being open and willing to put yourself out there. As a leader, it’s important that you are willing to be vulnerable to lead the way. And others will follow!
   

5. Extend trust and give employees autonomy to do their jobs You have to extend trust to get trust. “I like to be micromanaged”, said no employee ever. Provide employees with autonomy to do their jobs in the way that works for them as long as they are getting to the outcome that you want. And resist the urge to micromanage!

What are you waiting for??? Go forth and build trust!