Source | www.forbes.com | Forbes Coaches Council
Mutual trust is one of the most important elements of a successful team. Employees who feel trusted by their manager also feel valued and important, and often go above and beyond to support the organization’s goals. By the same token, if employees have faith in their manager, they’ll always feel like decisions are made in the team’s best interest.
Of course, trust is not a given. It’s something that must be actively developed and maintained, and that can be easier said than done. We asked 15 members of Forbes Coaches Council to share their advice for building a two-way relationship of trust with your employees.
1. Ask Open-Ended Questions Without Assuming The Answers
When talking with a team member, try to leave your assumptions at the door. Instead of assuming you know how they are doing or where they are on a project, ask a big, open-ended question. “What’s going on for you right now?” “What’s your biggest opportunity” “What are you excited about?” Instead of making the narrative about you, make it about them. – Marcy Schwab, Inspired Leadership
2. Be Vulnerable
Vulnerability is a fundamental way to establish credibility and trust. Sharing parts of ourselves is a risk, and permits others to know and begin to trust us. One quick way to do this is starting a meeting with an icebreaker. Share a story from your life that shows you as vulnerable — for example, the craziest thing you did as a teenager that you are willing to share. – Denise King Gillingham, DKG Coaching