Trust is a key factor in all aspects of our lives. Furthermore, it does not depend on ourselves but is given to us by others. It is something that is gained little by little and can be destroyed in just an instant.
Many people take a lifetime to build a reputation that is lost in less than an hour. The question is whether this is inevitable or just happens. I will tell you something hopeful about this, it is in our power to build and maintain trust, or in other words, to be trustworthy when it comes to relationships.
How to build trust in a work team?
Everyone values working with people they can trust. If it were any other way, the work environment would be even more stressful. The links established based on trust are solid and lasting, allowing us to build more productive and satisfying professional relationships.
This is so because, despite not necessarily feeling affection for the other person, trust is what allows us to know that they will not harm us or hinder our development. It is therefore the basis for creating solid teams and a positive work culture.
The engine of trust to inspire a work team is activated through three fundamental generators, knowledge, integrity, and empathy.
1. Knowledge
One factor that allows the leader to gain the trust of his team is to be well-informed and know the technical aspects of the work carried out by said team. Which translates to:
- Demonstrates good judgment in decision-making.
- Others trust their opinions and therefore seek them.
- Their knowledge and experience are an important contribution to achieving results.
- Anticipates and responds quickly to problems.
2. Integrity
Another element that makes a leader transparent is integrity. People like transparency, consequently it helps to develop trust. The exercise of leadership from this perspective implies:
- Consistency and congruence in behavior.
- Walk the path that is preached, always setting an example.
- Honor commitments and keep promises.
- Be willing to go beyond what needs to be done.
- Reason and give coherent explanations.
- Do not show cracks between what you are and what you say you are.
3. Empathy
The last element on which trust is based is the leader’s ability to generate positive relationships with other people and teams, developing their skills to connect and please others, which implies:
- Stay in touch with the problems and concerns of the people with whom he interacts.
- Balance results with the concerns of others.
- Encourage cooperation and resolve conflicts with others.
- Provide positive and constructive feedback in an honest and useful way.
This last generator is essential, since leaders can be allowed some inconsistency, but if relationships are damaged or were never established due to a lack of empathy, it is very difficult to build from trust.
Conclusion
There is no longer any doubt that a key factor for business success is that interpersonal relationships are managed strategically. In an environment in which human teams are increasingly competitive and demanding, the exercise of leadership becomes a difficult challenge, where it is only possible to develop people through trust and positive influence. The more trust there is in the bonds we establish with other people, the healthier, more stable and lasting those bonds will be.
