The Benefits of Building Trust in the Workplace
So far in this latest series of blogs, I’ve outlined trust and its crucial role in building resilience, how to build trust, and the importance of building trust.
To complete the series, I now want to consider the benefits of building trust in the workplace.
Better Communication
If employees trust one another, they’re more likely to communicate openly and honestly - helping prevent misunderstandings and promote a better understanding of your company’s goals and objectives.
In addition, team members who trust each other are more likely to feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback.
Higher Employee Retention
Employees who trust their co-workers are more likely to stay with the company for longer.
Reduced Costs
Trust can help reduce costs associated with issues including litigation, employee turnover, and absenteeism.
When team members trust one another, they’re more likely to resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently, without the need for outside intervention. In addition, employees who feel trusted are less likely to call in sick, saving your company money on lost days of work or productivity.
All of which enables the overall depth of Resilience within your Organisation and its ability to face into challenges.
Improved Productivity
Employees who trust their co-workers are more likely to be productive and efficient because they feel comfortable working together towards a common goal, and don’t have to spend time worrying about whether their teammates can be trusted.
By creating a trusting environment, you can encourage your team to work together more effectively and get more done.
Better Decision Making
When team members trust each other, they’re more likely to make better decisions as they’re more likely to actively share information with one another and collaborate on solutions.
Furthermore, employees who trust their co-workers are more likely to feel comfortable raising concerns and voicing dissenting opinions - promoting healthy debate and leading to better, more refined decisions.
Enhanced Collaboration
A trusting workplace encourages employees to work together more collaboratively.
By trusting each other, employees feel more open to sharing ideas and collaborating on projects - leading to a wider variety of solutions and more efficient use of everyone’s time and skills.
Increased Creativity
Team members who trust each other feel more comfortable taking risks and being creative because they feel secure in their environment and know their co-workers won’t judge them for trying something new.
Conversely, if there’s a lack of trust in your workplace, resulting in communication being inhibited, it’s harder to identify facets of your business which need work.
If someone does speak up, but feels their experience has been negative, this will equally have repercussions.
When communicating issues isn’t worthwhile, this will deter further disclosures until your employees become reluctant to communicate both positive and negative issues to you.
If you need further information about this approach, or any other resilience topic, please contact russell@theresiliencecoach.co.uk.