October 29, 2012
How to Build Trust in the Work Environment
Industry:
Solution:
When everyone in the workplace knows it's safe to treat others with the uncompromising truth, you have a shared value and trust is built. |
See if this is confirmed in your own work experience. Have you ever had a boss that you did not like and didn't respect? What was productivity like? I bet it was low. Conversely, have you ever worked for a boss you respected and honored? My guess is that workers cared more, trust was higher, and so was productivity.Let's take a real-life example of just one of these values: Treat others with the uncompromising truth. People deserve the truth and when they haven't received it, they feel betrayed and disempowered. If people feel it is not safe to tell the uncompromising truth, they won't.
- Joe has body odor, always has and no one tells him. Joe needs the truth, instead others joke about him as they roll their eyes. Nobody tells Joe, does Joe know something's up? Yes. Does this cost you anything when people don't include Joe? Yes. Joe does his job but won't go the extra mile and freely share information because he doesn't feel like it and you will never know the cost.
- Nancy is a gossip, loves to talk about other people. Nancy shares a juicy piece with Sue who is too polite to say anything though she feels uncomfortable. After all she has to work with Nancy all day every day. What's that costing you? Plenty. Nancy is killing trust in the organization. Trust is everything. Low trust, low productivity -- high trust, high productivity and joy as well. Trust is the foundation.
When everyone in the organization knows it's safe to treat others with the uncompromising truth, you have a shared value and trust is built. - Rita sees a memo and it has created some fear. She wants to tell you, her boss, the uncompromising truth but won't for fear of what you might say or do. You're about to make a decision, need the feedback and don't get it. Results are only as good as the decisions. But Rita has to tell someone so she complains to her friend John and a rumor starts. Costly? Yes.
- Am I discussing the issue with the other person within 24 hours?
- Am I asking the other person for permission to communicate? Is this a good time to talk?
- Am I approaching the other person in a non-threatening way?
- Am I straight-talking without hurting the other person's feelings? Is my language simple, understandable, non-apologizing and non-personal?
- Am I making a request of the other person and not a complaint? Is my request telling the other person how I would like it to be?