Page 218 - Build a Culture of Employee Engagement with the Principles

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Trust

Best Practices and

Turnkey Strategies for

Building Trust

Below are numerous tactics and strategies that will help you
build trust with your team members. As you read through the
list, examine your own behavior critically and look for opportu-
nities for improvement regardless of circumstances.

1. Keep your word. Follow through on your promises and
commitments, including things that may seem small such as
calling someone back promptly. On a daily basis, your trust-
worthiness will be evaluated based on the extent to which
you keep your word.
2. Admit mistakes. When you realize that you have made a
mistake, immediately acknowledge and accept responsibility
for it. People may not view you as more competent, but they
will view you as more trustworthy.
3. Give credit. Make sure that team members are given
appropriate credit commensurate with their contributions. If
you’re going to forget someone, let it be you.
4. Take the bullet. When things go badly, take the blame.
Shield your employees from fallout and they will be extremely
grateful and repay you with trust. This does not mean, how-
ever, that employees should not be held accountable for
their mistakes or failing to meet expectations. It is perfectly
acceptable to protect your employees in public and give them
the “confused and concerned” speech in private.
5. Straight-talk. When you have bad or sensitive news to
deliver, do so quickly in as sincere and straightforward a
manner as possible. If your employee hears from others what