“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”
-Stephen R. Covey
Have you ever experienced working with a team who didn’t trust one another? If you have, then you know how challenging this can be.
Trust is essential not just for people who work in the same environment, but also in all organizations in general. Without it, any team member is likely to be productive or motivated.
Here are a few ways to build trust with your team.
Encourage your team
A team can not be successful without the support of its members. There are many different ways to encourage a team, but one way to motivate them is to provide them with encouragement. If your team commits a mistake, instead of punishing them, turn it into a learning process and encourage them to give it another try.
A positive working environment makes your team more likely to be productive and open with their ideas. They know that you have their back when things get tough.
Be open to feedback and act on them
Feedback is the best way for team members to grow and develop. If you feel like someone has said something that is not right, it’s important that you take a look at their feedback and see what they think can be improved.
Team members may not always know what you want or need, but they still think they can offer helpful advice. As leaders or managers, you shouldn’t be closed off from constructive criticism because of this. You should instead embrace the opportunity for improvement that it offers you and learn from what others see as mistakes in your work.
Show appreciation to your team
A simple tap on the back or saying words of appreciation such as “good job”, “we appreciate your work” are some ways of showing your appreciation to your team. This can make them feel loved and valued. They will be more likely to be productive and motivated to come to work every day.
If team members feel that you care, you will see it in how hard they work. Appreciated team members feel invested in the success of an organization and will be more determined to work.