The Power of Trust

Trust is a firm belief in someone’s or something’s dependability, truth, ability, or strength. Everything in our environment is built on trust. Trust is reflected in relationships with friends, family members, co-workers, significant others, and elected political leaders. Trust can be easily broken but can take years to build, and is the foundation that connects companies, families, and friends.

Now, let’s look at why trust is important in the workplace. Employees, for example, are inclined to follow their company’s higher-ups. Therefore, management should set a good example. Leading by example includes adhering to a company’s policies and procedures, treating their employees with dignity and respect, and honoring core values.

Next, trust in the workplace is important because it improves teamwork and collaboration. No one wants to suspect that someone has a hidden agenda. Individuals want to feel like they belong at work, where they can share ideas, projects, and concepts. Trust creates a safe environment at work. Furthermore, successful collaboration fosters team camaraderie.

Finally, businesses must keep in mind that employees’ performance at work can be heavily influenced by what is going on in their personal lives. Management can make it a habit to inquire about how their employees are doing outside of the workplace. This reinforcer will reassure employees that they are valued.

To summarize, individuals must trust one another for any relationship to function properly. As employees, colleagues, and friends, we can all do our part and continue to improve on this skill.