Trust is a vital ingredient of team building. If this primary ingredient is missing you cannot expect your organization to do well. As a leader, it is your main responsibility to inculcate this important emotion in your team. It is trust which keeps the entire team together, working towards a common goal. A high rate of attrition is an outcome of a lack of trust. Trust is something which does not develop overnight. You really have to work hard for it. Handling a team where people do not trust each other is a big nightmare for any manager.
Before we tell you how to build trust let us explain to you all the things which can happen if there is a lack of trust:
Now as we know how adversely distrust affects a team we will tell you about some of the ways how you can build trust in your team:
1. Indulge in open and candid conversations
It is vital to divulge all sorts of information to your team. This enables them to come out to your clearly about what all they have in their minds. It is the leader who has started with and then the rest of the team follows suit. However, it does not mean that you spill all your secrets to your team so that some team members can take unfair advantage of you. There is just a thin line between what information you can share and what things you need to keep to your own self. You need to have guts to accept your failures or shortcoming. Demonstrate your viewpoints and thoughts without any kind of obstacle or refrain.
2. Build up your own group of safety
Work on a circle of people whom you can trust. The main aim is to build trust within your team so that all vital information stays safe. Only this will lead to desired outcomes eventually. Treat the people in your team with a human touch. Provide them a deep sense of belongingness, security. Make them feel that you care and this will eventually build trust. When you introduce empathy in your organization, trust builds up automatically.
3. Listen to your team before you voice your opinions
It is important to listen to the views of other people before you tell them what you want. Your motive should be that you are understood than just agreed to for everything. As a leader constructive flow of ideas will only follow if you allow the same. Be a composed listener and pay heed to ideas of others before you reach any final decision. What is more, indulge in what you have promised otherwise you will not be able to build trust in people whom you lead.
4. Lead your team by setting examples
The team members always have their eyes on what the bosses do. You cannot expect your team to do good when you go haywire a. For instance, if you wish that your team members come on time, you yourself have to reach the office on time, in fact before everyone else reaches. Leading by example just connotes that you need to possess good character so that your team trusts you as a manager who has a positive record.
5. Bolster the moves of your team
Treat your staff as an integral and important part of your company. The main thing which you have to do is to work on employee engagement. Trust what your team says or suggests and show them the support which they deserve. Always be keen to back up the actions of your staff. There can be cases that your team is falsely accused of certain things. When you show your belief in them this will double up the trust.
6. Show respect to your team members
It is vital to demonstrate respect to each and every member of your team. This is a very big step towards gathering the confidence of your team. Basically, it is like ‘Treat others in a way how you wish them to treat you.’ When you do not show trust and respect to others how can you expect to get all of that back? You have to show respect to your team members if you desire to win their trust.
7. Take the blame
When something goes wrong due to some wrong action of an employee, as a leader you should be ready to take the blame. The onus of an undesirable action is always on the leader. When you are a leader, it becomes your duty to accept the blame for all bad which happens even if it is not your fault in a direct manner. When you take responsibility for each and everything which happens in your organization your team begins to trust you totally.
8. Show acceptance to disagreement
Accepting an agreement which you do not believe truly is worse than a disagreement. You should be open to discussions as this is the best way to solve any problem. The difference of opinions is always going to arise where people work. Your intention should be to reach a conclusion and not snub people. Explore innovative ways to solve different problems. Disagreements are proof that your team members trust you and are not scared to come out with the truth.
9. Value each and every team member
Every individual has unique strong and weak points. Find out the unique strengths of all your team members and use their skills for the benefit of your company. Provide the liberty to explore novel ideas and demonstrate their imaginative side. Offer them a chance to learn new things from each malfunction which happens.
10. Praise your teammates
Everybody deserves appreciation and praise. Appreciating as well as valuing other people helps build trust at a very fast pace. So, it is hugely important to say good things about others if you want them to have faith in you.
So, these are some of the ways how you can build trust in your team.
Author Bio
Rahul Mathur is the founder and managing director of ARKA Softwares, a leading mobile app development company, delivering high-end IT solutions across the globe. Rahul takes pleasure in sharing his experiences and views on management, latest technologies trends and business development.
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