I am fortunate to work in a place where I trust my coworkers and have high confidence that they trust me as well. I will admit, that when I first joined Atomic nearly nine years ago, I was a little more wary. My previous work environments were not ones filled with assumed trust. So, when adjusting to my new job, I needed to learn to let go of some fear. I had to learn to trust that my teammates were not only good at their jobs, but that they would help me be good at mine too.
We can’t always control the baggage that someone brings with them to a new job, role, or team. However, we can do our best to build strong working relationships based on trust, which will eventually help lighten some of that baggage.
Why is trust so important?
First, let’s talk about why exactly trust is so important. A trusting environment creates…
A Sense of Safety
A trusting environment is one where team members feel valued and respected. This sense of psychological safety enhances job satisfaction, reduces stress, and decreases turnover rates.
Better Collaboration
Trust fosters open communication. Teammates who trust one another are more likely to share ideas, ask for feedback, and collaborate willingly. This leads to more innovative solutions and better decision-making.
Improved Efficiency
When trust exists, teams spend less time second-guessing one another and more time focusing on their goals. This reduces unnecessary friction and improves overall productivity.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is inevitable in any team. However, in an environment built on trust, disagreements are more likely to be addressed constructively. Team members focus on resolving issues rather than stewing on past frustrations or assigning blame.
Resiliency
Trust allows teams to weather challenges and setbacks. Teams with strong trust can navigate uncertainties with confidence, knowing they have mutual support.
What Does a Trusting Team Look Like?
Before diving into how to build trust, it’s important to recognize the signs of a trusting team. You might already have a team who trusts one another if your team exhibits these behaviors:
- Team members actively listen to one another, and build off of each other’s ideas (vs shooting them down).
- Mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, instead of reasons for blame.
- Feedback is given often, and from most, if not all, team members.
- Collaboration feels natural, not forced.
- Goals and expectations are clear and mutually agreed upon.
If you did not recognize the above behaviors in your team, it might simply mean there’s some room for fostering trust. That’s okay. All people and teams come to the table with their own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. The good news is that trust can be built upon.
Building Trust in a Team
Trust isn’t built overnight. It also might look different for different individuals. Therefore, there are quite a few strategies to utilize in order to adjust a team’s culture into a more trusting one.
Lead by example.
Leaders set the tone of a team. If you’re in a leadership role, demonstrate honesty, integrity, and reliability in your actions. Admit mistakes, stick to your commitments, and communicate openly.
Encourage vulnerability and empathy.
Fostering vulnerability creates opportunities for deeper connections. Model this by sharing challenges, asking for help, or admitting when you don’t have all the answers. Additionally, life happens outside of work, and personal challenges can impact work performance. Show understanding and offer support when a team member is struggling.
Set clear expectations.
Ambiguity breeds mistrust. Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations for each team member. Trust naturally follows when everyone knows what’s expected of them and how their work contributes to the bigger picture.
Provide constructive feedback.
Feedback is essential for growth, but it must be delivered thoughtfully. Use constructive, specific, and actionable feedback to help team members improve without eroding trust. The feedback process should be one that all team members are encouraged to participate in.
Celebrate successes together.
Acknowledging and celebrating team achievements—both big and small—reinforces a sense of camaraderie. Make it a habit to recognize individual contributions as well as collective efforts. This can be as simple as a shoutout during a standup call or in a Slack chat, or as big as a day-long celebration for a product launch.
Be consistent.
Building trust happens over time through consistent actions. Follow through on promises, maintain regular communication, and handle conflicts fairly. Consistency demonstrates reliability and creates confidence.
Trust in the Process
You see what I did there? In all seriousness, building up trust within a team simply takes time, patience, and dedication. By prioritizing trust, you’re not only enhancing your team’s performance, but also creating a workplace where people genuinely want to contribute and thrive. Who wouldn’t want that?