Do your employees trust you? A recent survey from Gallop revealed that only 20% of employees confidently trust their company’s leadership. That’s right—only one-fifth of employees believe their organization’s leadership has their best interests at heart. But this statistic can’t impact your bottom line, right? Think again! Trust is the secret ingredient of any successful organization. Without it, even the best strategies can crumble. Plus, employees in a high-trust culture are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. So how do you turn trust issues into trust assets? Stick around and find out!
Characteristics of a High-Trust Workplace Culture
Let’s start with what a high-trust workplace culture looks like. Employees feel comfortable voicing their opinions and concerns in the right environment because they know they’ll be heard and valued. That means that to gain trust from your employees, the following characteristics should be present in the workplace:
- Open Communication: Employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment or repercussions.
- Transparency: Leaders are transparent about important decisions and information that affects the team. There are no “hidden agendas” or big changes that aren’t discussed with the employees beforehand.
- Accountability: All employees take ownership of their work and are held accountable for their actions. This creates a sense of responsibility and drives individuals to perform at their best.
- Empathy and Support: Colleagues support each other not just professionally, but also personally. Everyone feels comfortable opening up about challenges they may be facing and are met with empathy.
- Collaboration: A high-trust culture allows for effective collaboration within a team, as well as across different departments. Employees feel comfortable working together and are more likely to share ideas and brainstorm solutions.
How to Build Trust at Work
While the idea sounds simple, implementing these characteristics into your workplace takes effort and commitment from everyone involved.
The most effective way to start building trust is through consistent behaviors and actions over time. Whether you’re a manager or a team member, start demonstrating integrity and accountability. Follow through on commitments, own your mistakes, and remain transparent about all decisions.
When employees see you sharing your failures, they’ll find you approachable and human, which builds trust faster than anything else.
Another key aspect of building a high-trust culture is mutual respect. Showing genuine interest in coworkers’ ideas and opinions, actively listening and valuing their input, and keeping an open line of communication will encourage a level playing field that keeps everyone happy.
What Are the Benefits of a High-Trust Organization?
Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, and it’s no different in a professional setting. A high-trust culture has numerous benefits that contribute to an organization’s overall success and growth.
Increased Employee Engagement
When trust is high, employees feel valued and empowered, which naturally leads to higher engagement levels.
A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that employees who trust their companies have “106% more energy, 50% higher productivity, 13% fewer sick days, and 76% more engagement” at work. Engaged employees are much more likely to be committed to their work, which drives them to go above and beyond their role.
Improved Collaboration
Trust also fosters open communication and teamwork, allowing employees to share ideas and solve problems without fear of judgment.
The same study concluded that employees in a high-trust culture felt 66% closer to their colleagues and 70% more aligned with their company’s purpose. If everyone is working toward shared goals, collaboration becomes much easier and more effective.
Higher Retention Rates
A high-trust organization often results in a happier, more fulfilled workforce.
The study also revealed that employees in a high-trust organization experience 29% greater life satisfaction and are 40% less likely to suffer from burnout. Employees are more likely to stay with an employer they feel respects and supports them, reducing turnover rates and saving the organization time and resources in training new hires.
Positive Influence on the World
Let’s step away from what trust does for your company and look at what trust does for a person.
When companies prioritize creating a positive work culture based on trust and respect, it also contributes to a healthier and happier society. Employees who feel valued and trusted are more likely to pass on positive behaviors in their personal lives, creating a ripple effect of kindness and understanding.
How the Build Then Bless Software Fosters High-Trust Culture
Build Then Bless focuses on the positive, rather than the negative. This means building a strong foundation of trust and then reinforcing it through recognition and appreciation.
Build Then Bless is a revolutionary culture operating system designed to build trust and positivity within organizations. By focusing on appreciation, recognition, and accountability, it promotes high-trust environments where employees thrive. Through tailored tools and frameworks, it empowers teams to build meaningful connections and create lasting cultural change, unlocking their full potential.
Experience Build Then Bless For Yourself
Discover how Build Then Bless can transform your organization by fostering trust, accountability, and appreciation. Schedule a demo today to see our framework in action!
