Some leaders are able to inspire people to work together to achieve something greater than themselves.
These leaders build high-trust environments where people are supportive and motivated to produce the highest quality of work possible.
Whereas, a lack of trust can create toxic environments where caustic, disrespectful and rude attitudes and behaviors are tolerated. It’s a fact that people who don’t trust their leaders put less effort and attention into their work.
Before we start, it is important to say that building trust is not a simple task but it’s a process that takes time. In fact, no matter if you, as a leader, want to build trust in a new team or repair broken trust in an existing one, to succeed you need to be aware that building trust is a long and difficult process that requires time and most importantly continuous effort.
So, Here are five tips that you could use to build trust as a leader.
First, Do what you say.
Effective leaders know that to build trust they need to keep their words and actions in sync with one another.
They don’t commit to something if they are not sure they are able to do it. For example, they don’t promise a raise if they are not sure it’s possible.
Leaders who overpromise and underdeliver can be seen as insincere or worse, a fraud. At the same time, when a leader proves that words have value, trust grows.
Keeping commitments and promises must be the nature of your behavior, in all relationships and interactions, day after day, constantly.
So, when you make a promise, keep it. Avoid making promises that you won’t be able to keep.
By doing so you will see loyalty and trust growing over time within your organization.
Remember: trustworthy leaders do everything in their power to stick to agreements they’ve made.
Second, Admit mistakes.
Sometimes it might happen that you make a mistake and disappoint someone. That’s ok, it’s part of life.
What matters the most is how you manage it. In fact, you need to be aware that people don’t like to hear excuses. If you do something wrong the best thing to do is to admit it without pointing fingers or looking for scapegoats.
Developing a reputation as someone who is dishonest and deceitful is probably one of the fastest ways to lose trust in relationships. So, always tell the truth, no matter the consequences. If you make a mistake, admit it, apologize, and come up with a way to make it right.
You should see mistakes as an opportunity to improve.
In fact, by accepting your mistakes you, as a leader, lay down the foundation to build a culture that encourages collaboration, creativity and innovation.
Remember that no matter how difficult it is, admit your mistakes and always speak truthfully. By doing so, people will be more willing to trust and follow you.
Third, Share information.
There are two types of information you can share with your people: personal information and work-related information.
To create a greater connection and trust between you and your people you can share personal information about your family, your hobbies and also about your challenges; but it’s important that you decide what personal information you want to share and with whom, because you probably wouldn’t want everybody to know your very personal details. In fact, context in this case is key and there will be different boundaries for different people.
In addition, to improve the level of trust within your organization it’s also useful to share work-related information with your people such as updates on projects underway, business opportunities and challenges that the company is dealing with. Also, encouraging questions and ideas will help people feel appreciated and part of the decision-making process.
Remember, it’s true that people appreciate knowing what’s happening, rather than being kept in the dark; but, you, as a leader, must be aware of the amount of information you need to share and most importantly when it is the right moment to do it.
Fourth, Keep confidences.
People who trust their leaders usually share worries and concerns with them.
The more leaders keep confidences, the more they are trusted, and in turn, people will keep sharing personal information with them. This is a virtuous cycle that makes the relationship and trust grow.
So, If people come to you in confidence, tell them that their information is safe with you.
Ask them if they want you to do something about what they have shared or they just want to let you know. Then be sure to keep the conversation confidential.
Be aware that if you reveal information disclosed in confidence without permission, people won’t come to you anymore because they will feel betrayed. And then it will be extremely hard to re-establish your credibility as a trusted leader.
Remember, by breaking confidence you will encourage people to create unhealthy behaviors like gossip and malicious talk. You, as a leader, need to have zero tolerance for these behaviors because they will make people feel discouraged, embarrassed and rejected.
Fifth, Act with decisiveness.
Decisiveness is an important skill when it comes to leading people and running a business. In fact, it’s human nature to be attracted by decisive leaders and trust them.
Whereas, indecisive leaders who are constantly hesitant cause uncertainty and instability and make people feel afraid, stressed and frustrated. In fact, nobody is willing to trust leaders who are not able to make clear and final decisions.
Leaders who act with deciviness look for the appropriate data and information in order to make good decisions in a timely manner. They also take responsibility for their decisions and for the consequences of their actions.
Remember, people trust decisive leaders. So, to be decisive you don’t necessarily have to make great decisions but you need to be ready to make difficult decisions, as soon as you can by using the information you have.
Summary
So, these are the five tips that you could use to build trust as a leader.
As a recap, we can say that if you, as a leader, desire to influence and lead people you would be better off building a reputation as a trustworthy leader.
In fact, to create positive work environments, where people can grow and thrive, it is extremely important to constantly earn and keep the trust of others because, once trust is lost, it can be really difficult to recover.
Even if building trust is a long and difficult process, don’t forget to start by treating your people with integrity and respect.
