Self-trust is the first secret of success. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Trust is about reliability and doing what is right. It’s also a big factor that will determine success in your job and your career—especially in a rough business climate where your value as an employee might be closely watched. Trust is the foundation of all successful interpersonal relationships, both personal and business.
Trust will positively impact and grow a company in the right direction. Distrust can erode the spirit of a company.
To build trust within your workplace, here are a few tips.
- Be Honest: The first step in building trust is to be honest. Tell the truth. A lie is a lie. Be forthcoming and share information. Don’t take from the company. This could include small items to large items. Justify neither.
- Use Wise Judgment: The second step is to know what information to share, when to share it and when not to share it. Protect your company’s proprietary information. Protect your employees’ personal information. Protect your customers’ personal information. Avoid gossip. Stand up for what you know is right in an even-tempered respectful manner. Remember, cool heads prevail. Avoid “just between us” secret conversations unless it truly benefits the company. This is often a dangerous phrase. Be willing to apologize if in the wrong and hope for forgiveness—but realize one may not forget.
- Don’t Deviate: The third step is to be unvarying in words and behaviors. Be trustworthy and dependable all the time. Come to work each day, be on time and work the duration. Meet or exceed your job requirements and your company’s standards. Do your job and work as though no one is there to watch over you.
- Be Honest in Nonverbal Communications: Remember your body language tells a great deal about what you are actually saying. Research states that we communicate 95 percent of what we say through our body language. If you are being truthful, your body language should follow suit. Look others in the eye—it is so important, yet so few actually do this. Avoid clinched fists, hands in pockets, crossed arms and crossed legs. Some of these are just natural posturing, but keep in mind others may view it as a sign of distrust.
Research suggests that trusting relationships are predictable, caring and faithful. If you are running a company, focus on the issues and finding solutions rather than personalities. Set a strong example by being trustworthy, responsible and accountable. Whether a company leader or employee, it is never a bad time or too late to evaluate or test your own trust.
This is wise business.
Chevy Tharp is regional vice president, Hawaiian Islands and Western U.S., for Meridian Business Brokers & Meridian Group Hawai‘i. Tharp is an international business consultant and business broker who specializes in helping people buy, sell and improve businesses. He welcomes you to contact him at chevy@mghawaii.com or (808) 268-6131.