Build Trust One Brick at a Time
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
When trust exists in an organization or in a relationship, almost everything else is easier and more comfortable to achieve. Trust even forms the foundation for effective communication, employee retention, and employee motivation and contribution of discretionary energy, the extra effort that people voluntarily invest in work. So why is it that something so important, appears to be lacking in organizations today?
In 2010, Maritz Research conducted a poll to better understand U.S. employees’ attitudes toward their employers. The poll found that employees across all industries cite a lack of trust in not only their senior leaders, but also in their direct managers and colleagues. Only 11 percent of employees strongly agree that their managers show consistency in their words and actions. Further, only 7 percent of employees strongly agree they trust senior leaders to look out for their best interests, and only 7 percent strongly agree they trust their co-workers to do so. Obviously, these percentages need to change, but how?
I have found that for employees to trust their bosses either initially or after trust has been betrayed, supervisors must add frequent emotional deposits to the employee’s bank account. Deposits may vary, yet they should occur often. The supervisor needs to establish or re-establish a track record of using fair practices, following through on promises, setting clear expectations, providing frequent and timely feedback, and ensuring communication is open and honest.
As an employee starts to see greater transparency and begins the process of trust, or decides to once again try trusting the supervisor, trust hopefully will gradually become more apparent. In cases of workplace betrayal between a supervisor and a direct report, time is definitely a key component that is necessary in the healing process. But in addition to time, the supervisor must also demonstrate qualities of integrity, strength and confidence before trust will begin to build back. Essentially, trust is about character and is built with many small actions over time. It’s kind of like building a foundation, one brick at a time.
I once read that respect is like air; you don’t really pay attention to it until it is in question or no longer there. I think trust is much the same; when you have it with someone, it seems like it is a given. However, when it becomes strained or it’s lost, it becomes a difficult hurdle to overcome. Trust issues may be tough to work through, but as with all obstacles, it is in times of adversity when we learn the most.
Confront It on Your Journey to Emerald City
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
In a questionable situation, would you be able to step up and speak out, in spite of potential personal consequences? Many of us need to think twice before answering that question truthfully. It’s easy to say we would, however, what we want to believe we would do versus what we actually do can be vastly different. Courage is a skill. It is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation.
When most of us think careers that exemplify courage, we often think of the men and women in our armed forces, police officers and fire fighters. I would firmly agree those disciplines take tremendous courage each and every day. However, I don’t just think of those three groups of individuals when I envision courage. I believe Mark Twain got it right when he said, “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.”
To me, courage is when someone is not afraid to take charge when trouble comes, taking an unpopular stand if necessary. I feel courageous individuals are looked to for direction in times of crisis and faces each difficult situation with guts and tenacity, doing whatever it takes to get the job done despite resistance. I think courage also allows for direct and tough debate and when honest dissent emerges, a climate of open and candid exchange is created or sustained. Courage is about saying what needs to be said and not leaving necessary points unsaid.
So is courage something you face in times of adversity or is it something you test and measure daily? I believe we demonstrate courage on a daily basis, or the lack thereof. So how do we strengthen our level of courage? By practicing it every day in the following ways:
- The courage to speak the truth. All the time. Because lies are the biggest and most obvious sort of cowardice that we hide behind.
- The courage to speak our mind and not stay silent, simply because we are afraid that other people might not agree with us. Of course, there will be conflicting views. And of course, conflict is unpleasant. But not candidly speaking our mind can lead to far worse circumstances.
- The courage to stand up for what we believe in. The courage to follow public rules and laws and insist that other people follow them too. The courage to resist wrongdoing and lead by example.
The sign of a courageous person, then, is someone who feels fear, recognizes fear, and still goes on to do what he or she believes is right…just like the Lion in the Wizard of Oz. Don’t be a coward; stand tall and be courageous.
Trust and Respect…Can You Have One Without the Other?
Blog from Tracy Butz of Think Impact Solutions
Would you say respect is an attitude? I would.
How do you show others respect? I try to be positive and to compliment others. I try to be fair by not rushing judgment and fair-mindedly listening to each perspective. I try to be polite by saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ I try to be a good listener by actively paying attention, using non-verbal gestures appropriately and using my two ears more than my one mouth. I try to address behavior issues confidentially and one-on-one, rather than personally attacking someone.
How do you demonstrate trust? I try to protect confidentiality by not breaching confidences. I try to provide honest and candid feedback in a safe manner, even when it’s not fun for the other person to hear. I try to be reliable by doing what I say I will and not giving excuses. I try to trust others by allowing people to make choices and then hold them accountable. I try to admit my mistakes and not blame others. I try to never hold grudges and give others a fair, second chance.
None of us are perfect, that is how we were made. But living life in a manner that encourages trust and respect is admirable.
Can you respect someone, but not trust him/her? I can’t.
Can you trust someone, but not respect him/her? I can.
