Building trust at work is much like growing plants in a garden; you have to sow the seeds. If you don’t sow it, you can’t grow it.
It doesn’t matter how rich the soil is in your garden, how much sunlight it receives, or how often you water, if you don’t sow the seeds, you won’t have any plants. In your relationships at work, it doesn’t matter how educated you are, how much money you make, or how successful you are (by whatever standard you want to apply), if you don’t sow the seeds of trust then it won’t develop in your relationships.
If it sounds elementary, well, that’s because it is. Trust in relationships at work begins by demonstrating your trustworthiness. It’s that simple. To get you started, listed below are 21 seeds of trust. Sow these seeds of trust and you’ll reap a harvest of high-trust relationships at work.
- Constantly learn, grow, and get better at what you do.
- Generously share your expertise with others.
- Develop self-awareness (emotional intelligence).
- Focus on doing the right thing and doing things right.
- Develop good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Admit mistakes.
- Make ethical choices.
- Make decisions in alignment with your personal values and those of the organization.
- Avoid gossip.
- Don’t play favorites.
- Tell the truth.
- Listen with the intent of being influenced.
- Be authentic and genuine.
- Accept feedback as a gift.
- Share credit with others.
- Keep your promises.
- Meet deadlines.
- Be on time.
- Respect and appreciate your co-workers.
- Praise the good work of others.
- Create win-win solutions.
Twenty-one simple seeds of trust. If you sow it, you can grow it!
What other seeds of trust would you recommend sowing? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
One more coud be to share all the information with che team.
Absolutely true! Openly sharing information, about yourself and the organization, is a key to building trust.
Thanks for adding to the discussion.
Thank you Randy. You are always enlighten us with great information about trust and I love it. Its like the kind of NEWS I, personally, enjoy looking for every day…
From my perspective I would add a seed of trust that start by being faithful and confident to start trusting the process (of learning, changing, creating,…) and trusting people around us. Then we start delegating more, sharing more, listening more, and empowering more. Keep writing Randy!
Thank you so much Maria! Your encouragement means a great deal to me.
I love your addition of “trusting the process.” I’ve experienced that sometimes people don’t grow trust in relationships because they won’t even trust the process of getting started.
Thank you for adding your insights.
Randy
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Great post Randy!
Accountability, emotional intelligence, and consistency along the way are the keys to building trust. I love your list.
I wrote a post a couple of weeks ago on the legacy of accountability and trust is on that list! Hope you like it:
http://katenasser.com/accountability-legacy-people-skills-secret-power/
Kate
Kate Nasser, The People Skills Coach™
Excellent additions to the list Kate!
Your article on the benefits of accountability is spot on. Trust blossoms when people hold themselves accountable to their commitments. It shows reliability and dependability.
Thanks for adding your wisdom,
Randy
This is so true. I also think respecting other person’s independence engaging them in the decision making process is important.
Excellent addition. Participating in the decision making process is a crucial step in building trust. People like to have a voice in decisions that affect them.
Best regards,
Randy
Really good post, Randy. If I could add 22: Trust in yourself. I believe it is essential to really trust others.
Great addition Brigitte. Trusting our own abilities and instincts leads to a confidence that engenders trust with others.
Thanks for adding your insights!
Randy
Excellent article!
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