As the T in TIGERS, trust is an essential element for success in the workplace. But leaders are not the only members who require respect; all team members in all levels and positions, customers and consultants all require the respect trust develops to operate best. This is why giving trust to get trust is the key to kicking off greater depth of trust.

While not everyone may deserve respect, leaders need to focus on creating a culture of respect where trust can flourish. With the fundamentals in place, employees will be more productive, customers will return and managers will better lead their teams. Without the respect that trust engenders, the organization will suffer.

By putting the T in TIGERS with team building strategies, leaders can help to create a positive culture that promotes trust in all levels of the business.

Team Building strategies to promote trust within the workplace

Learn from the hard times.

Trust doesn’t always come automatically, and many times, leaders must learn how to assert themselves to earn the trust of those around them, states 5 Steps for Earning Respect as a Leader. When it comes down to love or respect, leaders typically need to let go of their desire for mass love. Not everyone is going to love every decision that you make, but as a leader, you need to let go of the idea that you can please everyone all of the time. So weigh the pros and cons of all options and make an informed decision. Stick by your decision, and even if it doesn’t work out perfectly, take the experience as a learning moment and move on.

Help others create self-awareness.

Listening and learning from others is an essential skill for leaders to possess, but by doing so, leaders can also create a team of people who possess the same skill, notes 3 Things Exceptional Leaders Do to Stand Out from the Crowd. Leaders know how to listen to their team members, which not only allows leaders to learn from their team members, but to also earn their respect. By listening and being interested in what their team members have to say, leaders teach their team members how to listen and reflect on what they’ve heard. This creates a culture of respect, and allows team members to learn to trust one another, and their leaders.

Define, align and refine.

Creating a workplace of trust and respect requires everyone to be on the same page, states Want Productive, Engaged Team Members? Create Workplace Dignity and Respect. The first step is defining expectations. Team members must understand what’s expected of them, and leaders must also understand what their team members expect of them. Leaders should model the values and standards they expect of their team members, and they coach team members when they aren’t aligned with these expectations. Leaders need to make sure that all team members treat each other with respect, and they need to invest the necessary time to ensure everyone is meeting expectations. Leaders must then examine and refine their processes as necessary to keep everyone on board and performing well.

Implement a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.

Bullying is one of the fastest ways to kill a productive team, notes For a respectful workplace, deal with bullies. Bullying affects everyone in the workplace, and when bullying is present, everyone needs to play their part to extinguish it. Leaders need to implement zero-tolerance policies and enforce them; team members need to speak up when they witness office bullying; and the bullies need to have a clear understanding of the consequences for their behavior. When bullying prevails, organizations have increased turnover rates, more stress and absenteeism among employees and lower productivity rates.

Offer help.

Encouraging everyone to help one another is another way to build trust within the workplace, states Here Are 4 Ways to Develop a Culture of Respect and Trust. When team members trust one another and feel supported in the workplace, they perform better, have better relationships with other team members and are overall more effective in their positions. Leaders can encourage this type of culture by offering support and help to others, and praise team members when they do the same for one another.

Along with interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk and success, trust is a key principle that sustainably anchors collaboration and cooperation in the workplace. By implementing team building strategies, leaders can ensure that their team members understand the importance of trust and work toward creating a culture of trust and respect.

For additional ideas on implementing trust within the workplace, reference the following articles:

• 5 Steps for Earning Respect as a Leader
• 3 Things Exceptional Leaders Do to Stand Out from the Crowd
• Want Productive, Engaged Team Members? Create Workplace Dignity and Respect
• For a respectful workplace, deal with bullies
• Here Are 4 Ways to Develop a Culture of Respect and Trust

Copyright TIGERS Success Series, Inc. by Dianne Crampton

About TIGERS Success Series, Inc.

TIGERS Success Series, Inc. Licenses and Trains HR Executives in TIGERS Team development and Facilitation methods that build and enhance trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk resolution and success in the workplace.  In return, leaders are able to build high levels of cooperation in teams and within the work culture in valid and measurable ways.

TIGERS is research based and validated with over 30 years of experience building and improving teams and collaborative work culture to drive improved business revenue. This is the type of work culture employees enjoy returning to after a couple of days off.  Call 541-385-7465 to inquire.