Do you trust your employees to… manage company funds? Keep business information confidential? Work from home without supervision? Depending on your industry and your workforce, you may have different answers to these questions. However, putting a bit more faith in your team will allow both your employees and your organization to flourish.
Why Putting Trust in Your Employees Is Important
- Create a More Positive Work Environment
On the surface, command-oriented management seems easier and safer. Tell employees exactly what to do, supervise closely and lock up supplies. Unfortunately, this constant surveillance also leads to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Think about it. How well do you perform on a task when someone watches (and possibly criticizes) your every move? On the other hand, a freedom-focused management style fosters engagement, innovation, and creativity. - Increase Collaboration
When an organization models trust, employees are more likely to trust one another. Workers don’t need to worry about their colleagues backstabbing them in a desperate attempt to get on management’s good side. Instead of chasing individual pursuits, everyone is inspired to work together to achieve common goals. - Improve Your Business’s Performance
Not surprisingly, higher levels of engagement and innovation boost productivity and profits. Of course, there will be some setbacks too. As Laszlo Bock, the former SVP of People Operations at Google, points out, “… if you give people freedom, they will surprise, delight, and amaze you. They will also sometimes disappoint you… It’s just one of the trade-offs.”
How to Build Organizational Trust
- Promote Self Direction
If you haven’t already, it’s time to dump the micromanagement techniques. Trust your employees will do the right thing whether they’re working remotely or handling an important project. Keep in mind, there will be situations where some people WILL require additional guidance. Nevertheless, try to address these situations on an individual basis rather than imposing company-wide restrictions on people who don’t need them. - Leave Room for Mistakes
No one’s perfect. At some point, all your employees will make mistakes, but these errors shouldn’t be punishable offenses. As an alternative, give individuals a chance to learn from their setbacks. In the end, this will allow them to make even greater progress. - Encourage Open Lines of Communication
Trust is a two-way street. Keep your team in the loop, share company secrets and show them how your have their best interests at heart. Your employees, in turn, will put forth their best effort and report (not cover up) potential problems.
Are You Looking to Hire Trustworthy Employees?
Halpin Staffing Services places talented and reliable employees with top companies throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois. Our recruiters take a hands-on approach to help you find the exact people you need to make your business flourish. Contact us today to discover your next top performer!
