While there are many components that make a good team, they mean nothing if they aren’t built on a foundation of trust. As with most bare necessities, however, trust is notoriously difficult to come by; it can be a challenge both to earn someone else’s trust and to allow ourselves to trust in others.
Thankfully, a challenge is not an impossibility. Whether you’re stumped on how to convince your manager to give you a shot at a big project, or you’re struggling to feel comfortable giving your employees more independence, you can trust that these tips will have you on the right track.
Take a chance on me
Different from blind faith, real trust requires more than just words; it requires you to demonstrate reliability through your actions every day. This can feel like an inescapable loop sometimes: You are not being trusted because you haven’t had an opportunity to show that you are trustworthy. Because of this, you are being passed over when new opportunities are being delegated. But how do you break this cycle?
Even if you already think you are on top of your game at work, see if there are small ways you can tighten things up even further. Strive to be punctual when showing up for meetings and arriving to work. Check-in with your manager and/or team before you leave. Avoid gossip and be as transparent as possible when working through projects. By showing others that you are dependable and consistent, they will be much more likely to place their trust in you.
Get familiar
It’s not easy to trust someone you don’t know. Sometimes even the people we see at work every single day can feel like complete strangers. Although it’s no small task, a change in workplace culture can be necessary in order to foster trust.
A great place to start is by getting to know your team. A classic way to do this is by adding an icebreaker to the beginning of each meeting. If you need some suggestions, GovLoop has you covered with some sample ideas available here, here, and here!
If there is a specific person who you’re trying to get to know better, try something simple like asking them to grab a coffee with you. Through repeated conversation, you’ll both become more comfortable when interacting at work and trust will follow naturally.
Trust others as you would like to be trusted
On the other side of the issue, perhaps you are someone who struggles to trust others in the workplace. This might manifest itself as having difficulty delegating responsibility to others or hovering too much over the projects that you do pass along.
If you need to delegate a project but are having trouble feeling certain that it will be handled properly, make sure that the project aligns with the personal values of those involved, or that the work is stimulating to them. With the knowledge that they are invested in the outcome of the project, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing things are in caring hands.
Another strategy is being transparent with an employee when you are placing your faith in them. By acknowledging that you are unsure of their strengths and weaknesses, but still trust in their abilities to accomplish the task, your employees will feel motivated to hold themselves accountable while working and try to not let you down. As an added benefit, they will also be more likely to trust you back in turn.
Work on it every day
While trust is an essential ingredient for any organization, it can’t be built in a day. By putting these small steps into practice, you and your team will be well on your way to a more collaborative and successful workplace.
Interested in more professional development? Take a look at these GovLoop resources on related topics like collaboration, teamwork, and workplace conflict.
For more content, career resources and training, be sure to check out our NextGen Summit in 2020. GovLoop, Young Government Leaders and hundreds of public servants will come together on Wednesday, July 22-23, 2020, at the Marriott Marquis Downtown DC Hotel for two days of training and leadership opportunities, innovating and networking. Will we see you there?
