How to Gain Trust With Your Colleagues

Building and maintaining trust in the workplace is vital to a healthy environment where colleagues feel valued and respected. Attempting to build trust amongst employees has become a major challenge for many organizations and lack of trust often leads to disgruntled colleagues and frequent turn over.

Lisa Carver from Associated Content shared these practical tips for establishing and maintaining trust at work.

1. Always be transparent. Let your colleagues know what you are thinking (about work) by expressing your motives so people are not left guessing what your next move will be. By making your motives public knowledge you are more likely to get buy-in and support than if you leave people curious about your intentions on the job.
2. Don’t say things behind a colleague’s back that you would not say to them in person. The two-faced personality at work results in mistrust that is very hard to reverse. If you feel the need to discuss a difficult situation, or point out a mistake, talk to the offender in person and in private to ensure that you are trustworthy whether or not they agree with your message.
3. Be true to your word. If you make a commitment to do something – do it! This validates that you are true to your word and dependable on the job. Life happens as do extenuating circumstances so when these situations prevent you from doing your job, be clear with your colleagues and supervisor about why so your trust is not compromised.
4. Always let people know what you stand for. Whether they agree with you or not – your colleagues will always know what you are likely to do in a certain situation and therefore will be willing to share what they would do which translates into a respectful environment where all ideas are worth discussing.
5. Demonstrate consistency. It’s important for your co-workers know that you have some degree of predictability. This expectation will help others to trust what you would do in certain situations.
6. Show competence in your area of expertise and always continue to improve and expand upon your knowledge and skills. This will allow others to trust you in your area of expertise.

Trust can be hard to gain but the journey is tougher once the trust is lost. Communication and transparency are the keys to establishing and maintaining trust in the work environment from all rungs on the hierarchical ladder within an organization.