Why trust is important in the workplace? Well, trust is the weapon that can turn the tide in the favor of an organization. Since employees want to feel valued in the workplace, it is possible only in a trusted atmosphere, where they feel motivated, empowered, and encouraged. Both employees and employers have a responsibility to trust each other so they can collectively resolve issues, take up challenges head on, and solve problems.
What is trust in the workplace?
It is hard to strive in a tough work environment with unreliable, disengaged, and uncommunicative employees. A low-trust workplace is more likely to have such employees that often feel undervalued and unheard. Negative work atmosphere results in an undesirable environment, where everyone sees the other as a rival and the focus is not on productivity or efficiency. As a result, when employees feel undervalued, they are likely to withhold their creativity, innovation, and talent, which affects overall work productivity.
Why is trust so important in a team?
Trust enhances teamwork
Trust plays a crucial role in spreading positivity in an organization. It helps improve the way employees collaborate with each other and work as a team. Trust opens doors to a plethora of growth opportunities for both employees and the organization. On the other hand, a business can seriously slow without trust.
According to a Harvard study, trust is a bigger factor at the workplace. The study found that employees who felt trusted were 50% more productive and engaged. These subjects had fewer sick days and displayed less stress and burnout.
Researchers claim that there is a correlation between the production of stress hormone oxytocin in the brain and their level of trust.
Trust comes with a set of advantages for the organization and employees:
- It plays a crucial role in making employees feel valued
- An employee that feels valued is happy to work harder to boost productivity and perform even better
- Working in a trusted environment reduces stress and hostility and encourages transparency and team spirit
- A trusted workplace has more employee retention
- Trust in a workplace helps employees feel satisfied at work
- Trust can build employee loyalty in an organization
What builds trust in the workplace?
Don’t micromanage
One of the basic steps in building trust in the workplace is to let employees manage their time and projects. It’s okay if they fail to meet standards. You can always give constructive feedback and guide them. Remember, micromanagement is the last option.
Welcome innovation
Always be willing to entertain new ideas. You never know an employee’s inquisitive mind – they might come up with a gem. Give them every opportunity to prove themselves if they fail. This helps build faith and loyalty and trust at the workplace.
Find weaknesses
Find their weakest spots and help employees find a solution. It might help to brainstorm to find solutions.
Admit fault
Let them know that they can count on you in challenging times. Make them feel cared for and secure. It’s okay to say sorry and apologize when the need be. This helps eliminate burnout and build trust. When employers admit fault, employees start to see them as a role model. Their credibility increases in the eyes of employees.
An honest dialogue is crucial to building transparency and trust in the organization and thus drive performance and efficiency in the workplace.
