The Power of Trust in the Working Environment
The Cambridge Dictionary defines trust as: “to believe that someone is good and honest and will not harm you, or that something is safe and reliable.”
Today, you can consider the definition above, a tall order. Trust has become a volatile emotion in recent years within working environments as one cannot always predict human behaviour.
Mistrust lets our emotions get the better of us. Consequently, fear and paranoia erode our relationships with our colleagues. As a result, workplace conflict increases and our ability to negotiate and mitigate this conflict becomes increasingly challenging. Add a global pandemic to boot, and this is a perfect recipe for disaster.
Whilst we crave authenticity and a high skill set in working environments, it’s no guarantee in alleviating a sudden unethical change in human behaviour during challenging times. Moreover, we spend a significant time of our day with our colleagues. This time can have a dramatic impact on our lives.
So can trust be given, or is it earned? A recent report done by The Workforce Institute found that “63% of employees and business leaders globally say trust must be earned.”
So, how do we earn one’s trust within a working environment? As business majors, we’ve all learnt Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, ad nauseam. These motivation tactics such as team building, salary increases, active listening, and compassion can all play a role. However, there isn’t a one size fits all to answer this question. Our task today will focus on the benefits of building trust in the working environment and, above all, the impact it has on the employee and company:
Consistency of good work ethic
Work ethic has many facets to it. The main focus is consistency. Continuous positive and proactive habits can transform into a seemingly good culture. Likewise, daily demonstration of a good work ethic with open and honest communication can create an impactful perception of reliability. You are more likely to trust someone who is reliable
Enhance employee reputation
Trust can enhance employee reputation, which can set a precedent for the talent acquisition of future employees within a company. So, when you know you are trusted, you will want to perform better to achieve more.
Build company reputation
Trustworthy employees ultimately create and define the culture of a business. This culture can foster better customer/client relationships and, in turn, impact on the growth of the company.
Increase productivity
A report published by Harvard Business Review about the neuroscience of trust found that building a culture of trust in the workplace positively impacted the employee and company performance.
Building trust as a foundation makes it easier to cooperate and work in harmony with colleagues. As a result, employees feel safe and secure knowing they can rely on one another for assistance and motivation. These emotions sequentially foster growth and increase employee morale.
Harness a culture of security
Security is one of the most critical aspects of building one’s career. An employee who feels ‘looked after’ performs better. This contagious feeling impacts every aspect of a person’s life.
Trust is at the heart of what we do at Fennech. To us, our colleagues are like family, and our clients are seen more as partners. For more information on how Fennech can assist your business, contact us here.
