Trust doesn’t happen by default. It takes time and effort to build trust among the employees. It is essential to engage and motivate employees. Moreover the employees will be candid regarding the environment of the office, their co-workers, challenges they face and what all can be done for lucrative results. As an owner, here’s a few ways you can build the trust of your employees and become a leader they’re happy to work with.
Various surveys have been conducted to understand the employee and employer relationship. And sometime, you might think is it really important to carry out such research? The answer is, YES! No employer (a small business owner or a successful entrepreneur) can work well without the support of his employees. It is the combined effort of their team that takes the business to the height of success. So, if you crave a solid groundwork for your company, it is vital to invest some time to nurture and support your workers. Let’s find out what can be done to build the required trust among the employees;
#1 Planning
It will hardly take an hour or even less to lose up the trust of your employees, but it will surely take much longer to rebuild it. Hence, planning to recover the past and creating a better present and future requires patience and anticipating the needs of your employees in advance.
#2 Communicate
Share any information that has to do with your employees work. For example, if you have some plans to shift your set up across the town, it is important that this gets into their notice as soon as possible. They can start planning accordingly. Likewise, if they’re kicking butt, express gratitude. If there’s improvements to be made to their work… you get the idea.
#3 Empowerment
You know your employees have an impact on your organization’s future. Do they? It is your responsibility to give them access to tools and information they need to carry out their job in the bets possible way. Empowerment extends beyond merely their job duties as well. Do they feel there is a process for safely voiceing concerns and ideas?
#4 Celebrations!
The anniversaries, milestones or other major achievements need to draw attention of every employee. Appreciation is the short cut to develop the bond of trust between you and your employee. So, next time an employee achieves a huge target in minimum time, don’t forget to celebrate. Maybe it’s a simple cake party (ed note: skip the cake and buy them a beer), but it will surely let your employees know how much you care!
#5 Support Continued Education
Technology and skills need to be revisited time after time. With constant evolutions, every job today calls for regular training. And your employee’s skill needs to keep up-to-date. So, it is your responsibility to take initiative and support your employees need to freshen up their work-related skills. This will be beneficial in two ways;
- It will enhance the skills of your employees; making it better for your business
- It will make a clear picture that you worry for them, and are investing in their long term position in your company!
#6 Keep Meeting!
It will be highly appreciable if you keep meeting face-to-face often with your employees. When higher level personnel get in touch, workers feel it comfortable to discuss about their work, opportunities, goals, tasks, etc. A regular check-in with your employees provides you an opportunity to interact with them in a better way. These check ins need not be long or drawn out. Respecting their time is another way to show you value the work they do!
#7 Add them to Decision-Making
The law of ‘more you give, the more you get’ works ideally for building trust. In an organization, it becomes important to involve every level of employee in the decisions which affect their job. The process is simple and it shows your trust and respect toward your employees, which is likely to foster early!
You cannot buy loyalty. Building trust will require time, patience and consistency, just like any other relationship. Now get to it!
