5 Ways To Instil Trust in Your Team

For a business to be successful, its employees must have faith in the leadership as well as their colleagues. A lack of faith in one’s peers means a lack of motivation and inspiration to put effort into their work.

In a study carried out by the Harvard Business Review called The Neuroscience of Trust, it was reported that high-trust companies reported the following statistics:

• 74% less stress

• 106% more energy at work

• 50% higher productivity

• 13% fewer sick days

• 76% more engagement

• 29% more employee satisfaction

• 40% less burnout

Though these statistics are a little vague, it does show a correlation that less stress at work means a more productive and effective team. So the question is; how do leaders inspire their teams and instil a sense of trust? In this article, we’ll be exploring some of the common management behaviors found in businesses that report high levels of trust and productivity.

1. Understanding the perks of stress

Stress is often seen as a detriment to our employees, but having the right amount of stress can actually be a benefit. The goal is to identify the differences between what is perceived as a challenge and a threat. Challenges can encourage favorable emotions and increase performance, whereas threats do the opposite and limit our capabilities.

2. Give employees more autonomy in how to do their work

Your employees are the experts when it comes to the work they’ve been assigned. By giving them more autonomy in how they carry out their work, it helps boost their motivation and shows that you trust their decision making.

3. Take a holistic approach to growth

Your employees are human beings that have their own commitments and problems. Take a holistic approach to their growth by helping them acquire new skills while tackling their personal issues to help them grow as a human and not just an employee of your business.

4. Share information and be transparent

Keeping your employees informed can help establish a sense of trust. Sharing your company’s goals, future plans and strategies reduce the sense of uncertainty in your employees. It also helps to improve direct communications between employees and encourages teamwork when everyone is informed.

5. Recognize employees that are performing well

Recognition has one of the largest effects on trust, especially if it occurs immediately after your employees hit a milestone. Public recognition can boost your company’s morale and motivation by celebrating success, and it also helps identify excellence in your workplace so those employees can serve as role models to learn from.

Conclusion

No two businesses are the same and it’s important to understand that the approach you take might not necessarily be an effective approach for another business. However, instilling trust is often based around treating employees well, listening to their concerns and helping them develop a sense of purpose in the workplace.