1. Lead by Example
Show up with a leadership mindset that’s “Above the Line” meaning you’re predictably positive, proactive and solutions- focused. Your team will notice and follow suit.
2. Communicate Openly
Keep everyone in the loop, whether it’s good news or bad. Honesty builds trust, plain and simple. Are you having consistent 1:1 meetings? Are you having regular team meetings? These are critical touchpoints for the team to get filled in on vision, goals and just get to know you better and for you to learn more about them too!
3. Be the Last One to Speak
Take time to hear your team’s ideas and suggestions. During a meeting, practice being the last one to speak so that you don’t feel the need to jump in a solve an issue and you let the team rise to the challenge.
4. If It’s Not a H*ll Yes, it’s a No
Don’t make promises you can’t keep. One of the most common mistakes leaders make is over-committing. Before taking on that new task or job, ask yourself, “What’s the cost of me taking this on?” Is this something that will get you close to the most important goals in the business? If not, perhaps you can delegate it or say NO so you can say YES to the right thing.
5. Make Yourself Available
Be there when your team needs you, whether it’s to answer questions or help solve problems. Making time in your schedule each week to connect with the team also helps. Schedule 15-30 minutes daily to visit a job-site, stop by a team member’s desk or be aware of just leaving the door open to your office so employees can stop in.
6. Look for the Win
Recognize when someone does a great job. A simple “Hey <> great work today on that <>” can boost morale and trust. Not everyone likes being recognized publicly either so if you have someone on your team like this. Acknowledge the win privately with them and ask if they’re okay if you share with the team.
Start implementing these tips, and you’ll see your team’s trust in you grow. In the next article, we’ll dive into giving feedback with the FBI Model since the precondition for giving feedback is that you have trust with the person. We’ll share tips and examples on how to deliver feedback that really hits the mark and builds even more trust.
