Trust is the invisible force that binds individuals, teams, and organizations together. In a world of constant change and complexity, trust within the workplace is not a luxury but a necessity for businesses striving for success.
Recently, we delved into 'The Thin Book of Trust' by Charles Feltman, a treasure trove of insights on building and nurturing trust in the workplace. Trust is defined as the willingness to allow something you value to be at the mercy of another person's actions. When you trust someone, you believe their actions will support or, at the very least, not harm what you've entrusted to them.
Feltman's book introduces four critical distinctions of trust: sincerity, reliability, competence, and care. These distinctions provide a framework for evaluating and enhancing trustworthiness, helping us pinpoint areas where trust may be lacking and how to address those gaps.
Do you say what you mean and mean what you say? Sincerity is about aligning your words and actions. Do you "care" to get something out of the relationship or do you truly care to understand, provide support and protect what they deem valuable?
Keeping promises is a trademark of trust. It's about consistently meeting the commitments you make and, when you can't, communicating transparently and promptly.
Trust is reinforced when others believe you have the ability and skills to do the task at hand. Remember, competence doesn't mean being perfect; it's about recognizing what you don't know and being open to learning.
Demonstrating genuine care for the interests of others, in addition to your own, is the bedrock of trust. People who believe you're acting in their best interests extend their trust more broadly.
Building trust is an emotional skill; like any other skill, it can be developed and refined over time. Begin by observing your actions through the lens of these four distinctions and seek feedback from those you trust.
Confronting distrust is equally crucial. When distrust seeps into the workplace, it can lead to many counterproductive behaviours. Engage in open, honest conversations to address distrust, focusing on specific assessments and actions that have led to these feelings. Work on rebuilding trust together.
As the CEO of your company, you have a unique opportunity to not only enhance trust within your organization but also to apply these principles to build trust with your clients. Trust is the foundation of strong client relationships, ultimately leading to more business. However, it's important to remember that the goal of building trust with clients should not be solely transactional. Trust should be built because you genuinely understand their problems and believe that the value you bring to the table can provide a meaningful solution that creates value for them. This approach fosters trust that is not driven by personal gain but by a sincere desire to benefit your clients.
Trust is a rare and valuable commodity in today's fast-paced business environment. It is important to foster a culture of trust and collaboration. Gather your team, embark on this journey together, and redefine your workplace for the future by building a culture of trust and excellence.
Encourage vulnerability by sharing the elements they can work on and request the same from them, as vulnerability is fundamental to trust-building.
Foster vulnerability in your interactions by sharing areas you'd like to improve and encourage them to do the same, as vulnerability is foundational for trust development.